Just as Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate is revived in the West End, the Richmond Shakespeare Society is offering the chance to see the play which inspired it, The Taming of the Shrew.

Shakespeare, in high comic form, tell two very different tales of wooing, as the beautiful and too-good-to-be-true Bianca is pursued by three men.

They resort to disguise and trickery to gain her favour but only succeed in sowing comic confusion and chaos.

Add in a man servant masquerading as a gentleman, plus a father suddenly turning up, and the comedy reaches new heights.

Meantime the war of the sexes rages on between the swaggering no-nonsense Petruchio and the firebrand Kate, who swears she will never bow before a man.

This hugely enjoyable romp will employ all the knock-about slapstick you would expect from a Christmas show, appealing to young and old alike.

So as the song in Kiss Me Kate suggests, get along and "Brush Up Your Shakespeare".

Indeed this show will be an ideal way for parents to introduce sceptical children to Shakespeare.

A rollicking comedy, Taming Of The Shrew will be an ideal start to the festivities and for booking details and times see the listings.

December 7, 2001 12:32