The Taming of the Shrew
William Shakespeare depicted in the Shakespeare Window at the State Library Victoria, Melbourne. Created in 1862, the stained-glass memorial honors one of the world's most influential playwrights. Photo: commons.
QUICK F A C T S
- ✦ The Taming of the Shrew premiered in 1969 with the Stuttgart Ballet.
✦ The ballet was choreographed by John Cranko and is considered one of his greatest narrative works.
✦ Its score was arranged by Kurt-Heinz Stolze using music by the Baroque composer Domenico Scarlatti.
✦ The story is based on William Shakespeare's comedy of the same name.
✦ The action takes place in Renaissance Padua, where the spirited Katherina and the determined Petruchio begin their famous battle of wills.
✦ The ballet is celebrated for its humor, vivid character acting, and inventive pas de deux.
Tiziana Lauri and Maximiliano Guerra in John Cranko's The Taming of the Shrew (La Bisbetica Domata), 1997.
S U M M A R Y
Based on William Shakespeare's famous comedy, The Taming of the Shrew tells the story of the strong-willed Katherina and the confident Petruchio. While Bianca, Katherina's younger sister, attracts a crowd of eager suitors, local custom prevents her from marrying until Katherina is wed first. Petruchio agrees to pursue the fiery Katherina, setting the stage for a battle of wits, misunderstandings, and unexpected romance.
Maksim Woitiul (Petruchio) and Mai Kageyama (Katherina) in John Cranko's The Taming of the Shrew with the Polish National Ballet. Photo: Ewa Krasucka , commons.
Petruchio (Vladimir Yaroshenko) leaps across the stage in John Cranko's The Taming of the Shrew. Photo: Ewa Krasucka , commons.
The most famous ballet version was created by John Cranko for the Stuttgart Ballet in 1969. Using music arranged from works by Domenico Scarlatti, Cranko transformed Shakespeare's dialogue-driven comedy into a lively ballet filled with expressive mime, humorous situations, and dazzling pas de deux. Rather than relying on words, the choreography reveals the personalities of the characters through movement, allowing audiences to follow the story even without knowing the play.
Today, The Taming of the Shrew remains one of the most successful narrative ballets of the twentieth century. Companies around the world continue to perform Cranko's version, drawn to its combination of comedy, theatrical storytelling, and technical brilliance. At its heart, the ballet explores the clash between two strong personalities who gradually develop mutual respect, making it one of ballet's most entertaining adaptations of a Shakespearean classic.
Bianca (Nina Kaptsova) and Lucentio (Artem Ovcharenko) share a moment before the closed stage curtain in The Taming of the Shrew, Bolshoi Theatre, 22 May 2022.
E N C O R E
✦ On Today's Stage: The Taming of the Shrew remains one of the most frequently performed Shakespeare ballets and continues to be staged by companies around the world.
✦ Iconic Interpreters: Marcia Haydée and Richard Cragun created the leading roles of Katherina and Petruchio in Cranko's original production. Later generations of dancers have embraced the demanding and highly theatrical roles.
✦ Legacy: Widely regarded as one of the greatest story ballets of the twentieth century, Cranko's adaptation demonstrated how Shakespeare's comedies could be transformed into successful full-length narrative ballets.