Shakespearian classic turns the heat on Shanghai's women

A scene from The Taming of the Shrew. Provided to China Daily

The battle of the sexes is especially heated in Shanghai, where the women are known to be tough and controlling. So, it stands to reason that a version of The Taming of the Shrew set in 1930s Shanghai will be relevant for local audiences.

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The Shakespearian classic, directed by Paul Stebbings, will be performed at the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center until July 18. Stebbings is the artistic director of the UK's The New Theatre (TNT), a theater company that regularly tours overseas. He worked with Chinese actors at the Dramatic Arts Center to change the story's setting from Verona, Italy, in the 16th century to 1930s Shanghai.

"The play is set in 1930s Shanghai - Shanghai at its most dramatic. A city of conflict that matches the battle between men and women in the play, East and West, crime and order, poverty and wealth, tradition and modernity, laughter and tears, and life and death," said Stebbings.

TNT has toured China before, performing other classics including Oliver Twist, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet. The theater company's productions feature minimal stage design and fast rhythms, with physical performances and live music integrated in the drama. These are also reflected in this new production of The Taming of the Shrew.

The play's music sets the mood of the era. Jazz and traditional Chinese melodies, performed live, combine and conflict in a style pioneered by TNT - where music is part of the drama itself, not just an accompaniment.

Using simple stage props, eight actors perform the 30 different characters. The cast includes a variety of characters: rich old men hopelessly in love with young women; servants who think they are clever; fathers who think they can control their wayward daughters; and daughters who pretend to be pure, yet encourage their suitors and lovers.

To appeal more to contemporary audiences, the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center invited 65 people to watch the play in rehearsal, observing their response to the comedic aspects of the play.

"We not only achieved the expected effect, but also got a lot of valuable comments that largely helped us to present a high-quality show," said Wu Jia, producer of the play.

Just as critics agree that The Taming of the Shrew has the most diverse explanations of all of Shakespeare's plays, audiences in Shanghai have had a very diversified response to the play.

"Fortunately it's only a dream, otherwise the women would have been in lots of trouble," said female audience member Zhang Shanshan.

A male viewer, however, felt "greatly inspired to see that Petruchio trained his tigress wife, Kate, to become so obedient."