Samantha Spiro in The Taming Of The Shrew at Shakespeare’s Globe

The Bard’s Well Known Play Set To Appear During ‘The Play’s The Thing’ Season from June 2012

It has been revealed that Samantha Spiro, a regular of the West End and the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park, will be making her way to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in June as she stars in “The Taming of the Shrew” as part of The Play’s The Thing season. The production will be directed by Toby Frow.

The season will also see actors such as Mark Rylance, who wowed audiences in “Jerusalem”, Jamie Parker, Samuel Barnett and Jonny Flynn.

“The Taming of the Shrew” is a comedy that William Shakespeare penned in the 1590s and over the years it has been at the centre of controversy and discussion. The plot focuses on Petruchio and Katherina, the former a gentleman and the latter headstrong ‘shrew’, and throughout the course of the play we witness Petruchio’s attempts at taming her so that she becomes a more suitable, obedient bride. The controversy naturally surfaces from what critics refer to as the misogynistic themes running throughout, particularly is depiction of patriarchy dominating over a woman.

But this controversy has made enormously famous and no doubt audiences will be hoping to pick up theatre tickets to witness Samantha Spiro take on the lead role of Katherina. Spiro has previously appeared in a wealth of stage shows, including numerous stints with the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park, including “Macbeth”, “The Boys from Syracuse”, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “Lady Be Good” and, more recently, “Hello Dolly”. Her other London theatre credits include “Twelfth Night” at the Wyndham’s Theatre and “Merrily We Roll Along” at the Donmar Warehouse. She has also appeared onscreen in the likes of “M.I.T.: Murder Investigation Team”, “Cor, Blimey!”, “The Bill” and “Coupling”, among others.

The other productions set to appear as part of the anticipated season include Tim Carroll’s “Twelfth Night” from September 2012, Carroll’s “Richard III” from July 2012 and “Henry V” from June 2012.

Meanwhile, “The Taming of the Shrew” will enjoy its opening night at Shakespeare’s Globe on Saturday 23rd June 2012.