The Taming of the Shrew

The Castle of Thiene once again becomes the natural stage for the timeless works of William Shakespeare. This year’s production is the beloved comedy The Taming of the Shrew, presented for the very first time in an immersive promenade performance by L'Archibugio Theatre Company.

Set within the Castle's magnificent historic rooms, this unique theatrical experience invites the audience to follow the actors from one space to another, becoming part of the action as Shakespeare's sparkling comedy unfolds. Renowned for its outstanding performances and meticulous attention to historical detail, L'Archibugio brings to life Shakespeare's imagined Veneto through irresistible humour, lively misunderstandings, and unforgettable characters.

A must-see event for theatre lovers and culture enthusiasts alike, offering the rare opportunity to experience one of Shakespeare's greatest comedies in the extraordinary setting of a fifteenth-century castle.

Synopsis

In late sixteenth-century Padua, the home of the widowed Minola is besieged by suitors eager to win the hand of the gentle Bianca. There is, however, one obstacle: according to the family's rules, Bianca cannot marry until her elder sister, Katherine, has found a husband. The trouble is that Katherine is the city's most notoriously ill-tempered woman, and no one dares court her.

That is, until Petruchio, a bold adventurer newly arrived from Verona with plenty of ambition and few scruples, decides to accept the challenge. While Petruchio and Katherine embark on one of the most outrageous courtships Padua has ever witnessed, Bianca's suitors disguise themselves as eccentric tutors in an elaborate attempt to gain access to the Minola household.

With its fast-paced rhythm and unmistakable style, L'Archibugio Theatre Company offers a brilliantly comic interpretation of Shakespeare's masterpiece. Their trademark "organised chaos" combines wit, energy and historical authenticity, blending the Bard's imagined Padua with glimpses of a real Veneto—at once refined and rustic, cultured and popular.

Author: William Shakespeare
Directed and adapted by: Giovanni Florio
Assistant Director: Nicola Brugnolo

Cast: Giuseppe Balduino, Nicola Ballico, Sofia Bizzo, Alessandro Bolcato, Cristina Consalvi, Mauro Faedo, Giovanni Florio, Christian Nicoluzzi, Claudia Pieriboni, Erica Peruffo and Paolo Vanzan.

Costumes: Cristina Consalvi
Choreography: Sofia Bizzo
Lighting and Music: Paolo Meneghello