Free Shakespeare at the Panida

By Cameron Rasmusson
Reader Staff

You can always trust the BBC to find clever new takes on classic Shakespeare. This weekend at the Panida, see it for yourself with the broadcasting company’s take on “The Taming of the Shrew” for free.

Sunday at the Panida, see the BBC’s take on “The Taming of the Shrew” for free.

Even if you’re familiar with the play, you’ll probably find something new in the BBC’s quirky adaptation starring Rufus Sewell as Petruchio and Shirley Henderson as Kate. Reimagining the story within a modern setting, “BBC Presents The Taming of the Shrew”  recasts Kate as a talented but abrasive Parliament member with eyes on the prime minister’s office. Her advisers and family recommend she marry to improve her public image, and as luck would have it, a down-on-his-luck earl, Petruchio, is in need of a rich wife.

The BBC adaptation of the Shakespeare play received high marks largely for the performances of its leads, who commit fully to the bonkers tone. True to BBC form, the creative team brings a clear love of the source material into a modernized story, emphasizing the timeless elements that Shakespeare captures. The show is free of charge starting 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 10, at the Panida Theater.