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.
- Act and Scene
- Induction
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
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.
- Act and Scene
- Induction
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
The players arrive. Image shows Lady (Amanda Hadingue) and Huntsman (Simon Darwen).
- Act and Scene
- Induction
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
Dost thou love pictures?
Huntsman (Adrian Decosta) and Sly (Stephen Boxer) on the 'lipchaise'.
- Act and Scene
- Induction
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
Bienvenuti a Padua!
The Players bring in scenery to form the set of Padua. The tower turns to reveal an elegant square in Padua.
- Act and Scene
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
Lucentio (Patrick Moy) threatens his servant Biondello (Jack Laskey).
- Act and Scene
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
Biondello (Jack Laskey) brings in a 'small packet of Greek and Latin books' for Bianca.
- Act and Scene
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
They call me Katherine that do talk of me.
Kate (Michelle Gomez) welcomes Petruchio (Stephen Boxer) with a kick to the head.
- Act and Scene
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
Thou can'st not frown; thou can'st not look askance, nor bite the lip as angry wenches do.
Petruchio (Stephen) tries to seduce Kate (Michelle Gomez) who remains unimpressed.
- Act and Scene
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
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.
- Act and Scene
- The wedding haka
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
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.
- Act and Scene
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
PETRUCHIO - Where be these gallants? Who's at home? BAPTISA - 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).
- Act and Scene
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
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.
- Act and Scene
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
Come on a god's name, once more towards our father's house.
A broken Kate (Michelle Gomez) tries to follow Petruchio's confusing commands.
- Act and Scene
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
Where is that damned villian Tranio? That faced and braved me in this matter so.
Vincentio (Leonard Fenton, in the background) discovers a plot against him masterminded by Tranio (Keir Charles), in the foreground, disguised as his master, Vincentio's son, Lucentio.
- Act and Scene
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
BIANCA - Tranio is changed into Lucentio. LUCENTIO - Bianca's love wrought these miracles. Made me exchange my state with Tranio.
The lovers explain the confusion to their fathers. The tower, moved to centre stage, represents Lucientio's lodging.
- Act and Scene
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
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.
- Act and Scene
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
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.
- Act and Scene
- Credit
- Simon Annand
- Date
- 2008
- Copyright
- © RSC
