​Scene by Scene Synopsis (1)

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Mischievous servants Trania and Biondello announce that the Lakespeare players are in Canberra to perform a comedy to wipe away any sadness or melancholy among the audience. They encourage you to embrace "mirth and merriment," as it "bars a thousand harms and lengthens life." Biondello questions if this is a trick, but Trania assures him it is more than that - enjoy!

 

ACT One

 

Scene I.

Lucentia and her servant, Trania, arrive in Padua. Lucentia is keen to learn and study, but Trania suggests they learn through having some fun. They overhear Baptista Minola declare to would-be suitors Gremia and Hortensia that her desirable and dutiful younger son, Bianco, cannot be wed until his difficult and disobedient elder brother, Christopher, finds a wife. Gremia and Hortensia hatch a plot - they must find  Chistopher a wife (but acknowledge this will be no easy task). On seeing Bianco, Lucentia is immediately smitten. To get close to him, she proposes that she and Trania switch clothes and roles: Lucentia will disguise herself as a schoolmistress named Cambia to court Bianco as his tutor, while Trania will impersonate Lucentia, a wealthy suitor. 

Scene II.

Petruchia arrives in Padua with her servant, Grumia, interested in finding a rich husband. She meets her friend Hortensia, who tells her about Christopher Minola. Petruchia, at this point motivated by wealth, is eager to woo the difficult Christopher. Hortensia and Gremia, who are rivals for Bianco's hand, agree to help Petruchia marry Christopher so that Bianco will be free to marry (hopefully, one of them!). Hortensia disguises herself as a music teacher (Litia), and Lucentia (as Cambia) is also presented as a classics teacher: both plan to use their time tutoring Bianco to win his love.

 

Act Two

 

Scene I.

Christopher teases his brother and argues with his mother, Baptista, over being the reason Bianco cannot marry. Petruchia arrives and very directly asks Baptista for Christopher's hand and dowry. She and Christopher then engage in a sharp, witty duel of words. Kit is surly and resistant but Petruchia persists (she finds to her surprise she finds him rather appealing), and despite not making much grounds with her ‘Kit’, tells Baptista they have agreed to get married on Sunday. Baptista accepts this news, dismissing any denials from Christopher. With things looking more positive around Bianco’s availability Trania (as Lucentia) and Gremia then petition Baptista about who can offer the largest dower. Trania's offer is the highest and Baptista agrees to a betrothal, pending an assurance from her mother, Vincentia, confirming the promised dowry.

 

Act Three

 

Scene I.

Lucentia (as Cambia) and Hortensia (as Litia) both compete as they teach Bianco. During her lesson, Lucentia reveals her true identity and affection to Bianco (to which he is rather receptive). Hortensia tries a similar strategy using a musical scale (gamut) but is rebuffed. Realizing Bianco's preference, Hortensia vows to give up on him, and instead decides to marry Biondello (who’s been rather keen on her from the start).

 

Scene II.

Christopher is anxious and ashamed because Petruchia is late for their wedding. When Petruchia does arrive it’s in a shockingly slovenly state, but she insists she will marry Christopher dressed as she is. Gremia returns from the church and describes in detail the chaotic wedding ceremony. Petruchia re-enters, and, despite Christopher’s protests, insists she and Christopher leave for her country house immediately. 

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Act Four

 

Scene I.

At Petruchia's country house, Grumia complains about the awful journey. Petruchia enters with Christopher, and over the coming days rejects the dinner he is served as burnt, and interrupts his sleep by deliberately disturbing his chamber. She reveals this is a calculated plan intended to tame him, through hunger and sleep deprivation - all under the name of perfect love!

 

Scene II.

Trania, Lucentia, and Hortensia (with Biondello) are back in Padua. Hortensia (disguised as Litia) sees Lucentia (disguised as Cambia) and Bianco's intimate conversation, confirming her earlier suspicion that they are courting, and decides to forsake Bianco for Biondello. Trania then informs Lucentia and Bianco of her scheme to use a look-alike of Lucentia’s mother, Vincentia, to secure the dowry from Baptista, enabling them to marry quickly.

 

Scene III.

Christopher is desperate for food and sleep. Grumia teases him by offering, then refusing, food, claiming it is choleric. Petruchia enters with food, but taunts Christopher with it before throwing it to Grumia. She then presents new clothes for their return to Padua, but rejects both a hat and a gown, simply because Christopher expresses a liking for them. Finally, she insists they will not leave until Christopher agrees with her on the time of day.

 

Scene IV.

Trania (as Lucentia) presents the fake Vincentia (Biondello) to Baptista and gains her agreement and a financial assurance for the dowry. Lucentia (as Cambia) is sent to fetch Bianco. Trania immediately rushes Lucentia and Bianco to marry, before the imposture can be revealed.

 

Scene V.

On the road to Padua, Petruchia tests Christopher's obedience by insisting the sun is the moon. Christopher initially resists but then vows to agree with her on everything. They encounter the real Vincentia. Petruchia forces Christopher to greet her as a "fresher gentleman," which he does. Petruchia then reveals the jest and tells Vincentia that her daughter, Lucentia, has married Christopher's brother.

 

Act Five

 

Scene I.

Petruchia, Christopher, and the real Vincentia arrive at Lucentia's lodging. The real Vincentia is met by the fake Vincentia (Biondello) and Trania (as Lucentia). A chaotic confrontation ensues, where the real mother is accused of being a madwoman and a villain. The newlyweds, Lucentia and Bianco, arrive and expose the plot, causing the two imposters to flee. Christopher and Petruchia share a public kiss before following the others in to sort out the events.

 

Scene II.

At a feast to celebrate Lucentia and Bianco’s marriage, the married couples joke and argue. Petruchia proposes a wager to determine whose husband will come when asked for. Lucentia and Hortensia's husbands (Bianco and Biondello) refuse. To everyone’s surprise Christopher immediately responds to Petruchia’s summons. She then gets Christopher to fetch the other two husbands and deliver a sermon on the absolute duty of a husband to his wife. Christopher does so, and Petruchia wins the wager, cementing her reputation as the tamer of the shrew.

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(1) Created with the assistance of Google Co-pilot