2008: Connall Morrison production

Induction

The play opens with a show of drunken machismo - the company called this 'Dave's stag party'. They perform a rugby-inspired haka dance. Sly attaches himself to the group who are on their way to a strip club.

Photo by Simon Annand © RSC

Induction

Huntsman What's here? One dead or drunk?

The Huntsmen discover Sly (Stephen Boxer) in a dustbin. In this scene, the tower represents a seedy nightclub.

Photo by Simon Annand © RSC

Induction

Huntsman Dost thou love pictures?

Photo shows: Huntsman (Adrian Decosta) and Sly (Stephen Boxer) on the 'lipchaise' - a sofa shaped like a giant pair of red lips.

Photo by Simon Annand © RSC

Act 1 Scene 1

The Players bring in scenery to form the set of Padua. The tower (top left) which formed the street and nightclub doorway in the Prologue is turned around to reveal the elegant architecture of a street in Padua.

Photo by Simon Annand © RSC

Act 2 Scene 1

Biondello (Jack Laskey) brings in a 'small packet of Greek and Latin books' for Bianca.

Photo by Simon Annand © RSC

Act 2 Scene 1

Kate They call me Katherine that do talk of me.

Kate (Michelle Gomez) welcomes Petruchio (Stephen Boxer) with a kick to the head.

Photo by Simon Annand © RSC

Act 2 Scene 1

Petruchio Thou can'st not frown; thou can'st not look askance, nor bite the lip as angry wenches will.

Petruchio (Stephen Boxer) tries to seduce Kate (Michelle Gomez) who remains unimpressed.

Photo by Simon Annand © RSC

Act 3 Scene 2

The wedding haka-the citizens of Padua celebrate Kate's wedding with a dance which recalls the stag party at the opening of the play. Instead of a drunken stomp, the citizens perform an Italianate version.

Photo by Simon Annand © RSC

Act 3 Scene 2

Kate Lo, here is mad Petruchio's wife. If it would please him come and marry her.

Kate (Michelle Gomez) is distressed when Petruchio fails to turn up to his wedding.

Photo by Simon Annand © RSC

Act 3 Scene 2

Petruchio Where be these gallants? Who's at home?
Baptista You are welcome sir.
Petruchio And yet I come not well. ...
Tranio Not so well apparelled as I wish you were.

Petruchio (Stephen Boxer) arrives on the back of his servant Grumio (William Beck).

Photo by Simon Annand © RSC

Act 3 Scene 1

Hortensio Before you touch the instrument to learn the order of my fingering.

Hortensio (Sean Kearns) tries to seduce Bianca (Amara Karan) while disguised as Litio, a music teacher.

Photo by Simon Annand © RSC

Act 4 Scene 5

Petruchio Come on a god's name, once more towards our father's.

A broken Kate (Michelle Gomez) tries to follow Petruchio's confusing commands.

Photo by Simon Annand © RSC

Act 5 Scene 1

Petruchio Sweet Kate...thy delight is in tormenting…

Petruchio (Stephen Boxer, front right) entertains the guests at Lucentio and Bianca's wedding by singing a song to Kate (front left) and playing the lute, while behind them the servants set up the reception banquet. (The song Petruchio performs is Sweet Kate written by Robert Johns).

Photo by Simon Annand © RSC

Act 5 Scene 2

At the last possible moment, the Lady (Amanda Hadingue) enters the story and rescues her actress playing Kate (Michelle Gomez) from the clutches of Petruchio (Stephen Boxer), ending the play-within-a-play and consigning Sly back to his life as a drunkard.

Photo by Simon Annand © RSC