"ShakespeaRe-Told" The Taming of the Shrew (2005)

Director:

David Richards

Writers:

William Shakespeare (play)
Sally Wainwright (screenplay)

TV Series:

"ShakespeaRe-Told" (2005)

Original Air Date:

21 November 2005 (Season 1, Episode 3)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A young harridan MP marries a title in order to advance towards her goal of becoming party leader.

Plot Keywords:

Parliament | Shakespeare | Italian Villa | Cross Dresser | William Shakespeare

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Shirley Henderson	...	Kate Minola
David Mitchell	...	Tim Agnew
Simon Chandler	...	John Naps
Jaime Murray	...	Bianca Minola
Federico Zanni	...	Tranio
Santiago Cabrera	...	Lucentio
Stephen Tompkinson	...	Harry
Twiggy	...	Mrs. Minola (as Twiggy Lawson)
Yves Aubert	...	French Waiter
Rufus Sewell	...	Petruchio
Paul McNeilly	...	Scary Yob
Samuel Oatley	...	Journalist
Bruce Mackinnon	...	Vicar
Kate Russell-Smith	...	Elaine
David Weber	...	Barman

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Certification:

UK:12 | Australia:M | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

BBC Drama Group

Trivia:

They prepared 3 tables and 3 carpets for the scene in which Katherine flips the table over. Each had glasses made of sugar glass and wax plates. All the meals had to be salad so that the food wouldn't melt the plates. Luckily they did it in one take and were able to move out the restaurant so that it could open for lunch.

Goofs:

Continuity: As Harry and Petruchio are getting out of the elevator Harry says, 'You're mad,' and Petruchio begins to adjust his pants. The camera goes to the next shot and Petruchio's hands are back down at his side, and begins to adjust his pants once again.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Kate: Fathead!
[she slaps him]
Tim Agnew: You hit me!
Kate: You gave me that information. You made me look like a political pygmy, on Newsnight. Your job, in case you weren't concentrating, is to make sure I know what I'm pigging well talking about!
Tim Agnew: You're out of order, Katherine. I'm sorry, but good grief!
Kate: And you're sacked! No wonder this party has been the opposition for the last ten million light years!
Tim Agnew: You can't sack me, and, frankly, I'd appreciate an apology. Otherwise...
Kate: Otherwise?
Tim Agnew: If we're to mantain a mature, grown-up working relationship, then...
[...]

Movie Connections:

References "Newsnight" (1980)

Brilliant use of music

I don't know if anyone else noticed it, but for me it was the music which really turned this adaptation into something special. Well done to Hal Lindes whoever he is for composing the original music, but also to the person who edited it to maximum effect. It made the film so much fun. Of course, the two main actors, Shirley Henderson and Rufus Sewell were excellent too, even though it was difficult to believe that a future PM could behave as badly as she did, or that she could get married and go on honeymoon without the paparazzi swarming all over the place! How nice to see a new single play on TV with no gruesome murders or police in the cast. Bring back Play for Today!