The student news site of Clayton High School.

The Globe

The student news site of Clayton High School.

The Globe

The student news site of Clayton High School.

The Globe

Taming of the Shrew

Every year, Clayton produces a wonderful fall play; it is well done and all around raved about.  As was decided at the end of last year, this year’s fall play is William Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew.”

Director Kelley Ryan believes her choice for the play was a good one.

“I saw an amazing production of this play at The Royal Shakespeare Company in England with a group of students a number of years ago,” Ryan said. “Ever since then I’ve wanted to direct it. It is funny and romantic and asks really great questions.”

For those auditioning for the play.  The selection of a Shakespeare play makes a difference.

“The play selection definitely affects the number of people who audition,” Yap said. “Familiar plays draw from larger crowds, and depending on the subject area, people from different interests are drawn as well.”

Sophomore Claire Lisker also believes that the selection of a play has an impact on the cast members, especially for those who do not like Shakespearean plays.

“Perhaps some are afraid that they will feel less comfortable in a Shakespeare play,” Lisker said. “However, I think that high school plays are the perfect place for students to try something new.”

Additionally, this particular play can attract a certain audience.

“With “Taming of the Shrew,” because it is a Shakespeare play, students who are interested in classic plays and have read Shakespeare may choose to audition,” Yap said. “Students who absolutely hated reading “Romeo and Juliet” freshman year may opt out of auditioning because of the literary nature.”

This year the fall play has been changed into one for all grades. Last year there was a separate freshman/sophomore play. Lisker seems to be in support of this change as well.

“Integrating all grades into the fall play this year was a good idea,” Lisker said. “It creates a more varied cast, and allows actors of different ages to get to know each other and learn from each other.”

Although “Taming of the Shrew” is a classic Shakespearean play, there are some complaints against it that it sends a sexist message about how women are inferior to men.

While it can be argued that this play sends a negative message, Senior Corrine Yap does not believe that this work should be changed or censored in any way.

“Although it may touch a nerve with some extreme feminists out there, in understanding the true nature of the play, one realizes that it’s not meant to be sexist at all but that, in the end, it’s about love,” Yap said. “I don’t think that’s something that should offend anyone.”

Director Kelley Ryan shares a similar point of view to Yap, “I think that the play can certainly be played up as very misogynistic,” Ryan said. “But I also think it can be about what it means for two people to love each other so much that sacrifice and selflessness are normal states.”

Despite this possible criticism, Ryan doesn’t believe that it will affect the attendance of the performance.

“Shakespeare plays have historically been very well attended and received here at Clayton,” Ryan said. “It is rare to get an opportunity to see a Shakespeare play done really well and we do them pretty well.”

(Photo: MCT Campus)

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Taming of the Shrew