The Taming of the Shrew

William Shakespeare

Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.3 stars; 101 reviews)

The Taming of the Shrew is one of Shakespeare's earliest comedies, and was inspired by classical Roman comedy and the Italian commedia dell'arte. Baptista Minola, a rich gentleman of Padua, has two daughters: Katherina, renowned for her sharp tongue, and Bianca, who is sought after by multiple suitors. Baptista decides that Bianca cannot marry until her elder sister finds a husband. Enter Petruchio, who has come to "wive it wealthily in Padua," and who is convinced by Bianca's suitors to woo Katherina. The play ultimately poses the question of who is the bigger shrew: Kate or Petruchio. The subplot involves the subterfuge employed by Lucentio to woo the lovely Bianca. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett)

Cast:
Lord: Bob Sherman
Christopher Sly: David Lawrence
Hostess, Widow: Neeru Iyer
Page: Arielle Lipshaw
Players, Tranio, Nicholas: Elizabeth Klett
First Huntsman, Peter: Glenn Simonsen
Servant, Haberdasher, Nathaniel: Laurie Anne Walden
Baptista Minola: Ernst Pattynama
Vincentio: Mark F. Smith
Lucentio: mb
Petruchio: Bellona Times
Gremio: Rat King
Hortensio: Miriam Esther Goldman
Biondello: Matthew Ward
Grumio: Denny Sayers
Curtis: MGVestal
Pedant: Tom Hackett
Katherina: Kristin Hughes
Bianca: Musicalheart1
Tailor, Second Servant: Michael Wolf
Second Huntsman: Katalina Watt
First Servant: Abigail Bartels
Third Servant: von
Joseph: redaer
Philip: Lucy Perry
Narrator: Availle

Audio edited by: Elizabeth Klett and Arielle Lipshaw (2 hr 26 min)