The Taming of the Shrew

http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/shakespeare/tamingoftheshrew/

Taken from the original Shakespearean play written by the great man himself the 'Taming of the Shrew' was this time reverted into a modern inspired piece for a mini series of classic Shakespearean plays shown on the BBC in 2005.


We watched and took notes of the show in class looking deeply into references towards our own project of the New Elizabethans. Of course back then when the play was originally written it was during the Tutor/Elizabethan era. The entire has been produced with a modern take on a classic.

Whilst watching we starting writing notes about things we had noticed about the costume and location.

The social class shown within the entire program with the main character Catherine being of high class; she works in parliament. The clothing of her mother is designer and the sister Bianca is a celebrity. I noticed the mother who is played by Twiggy (if you don't know Twiggy be ashamed) wore a lot of purples; in the Elizabethan era purple dyes would of been extremely expensive only important people wear such a colour. Regal elegance.

A reason why the actress Jaime Murray who played 'Bianca' Catherines sister could be for her certain looks very renascence beauty with the paleness and definded features such as cheekbones and straight nose.

The actual conversation at the start of the show between Catherine and other characters is to do with marriage and the fact that if she wanted to gain power she should marry; having a man at your side apparently makes you more likeable in the eyes of the public. Just think Elizabeth I was viewed and seen as the virgin queen image all the pressure she had at the beginning of her reign to find a preferable suitor that her courts would approve off. The amount of displeased looks on peoples faces to hear the queen, the most important person didn't want a marriage for herself.

Much like in the Elizabethan era the idea of a selfie type thing was within self portrait, placed proudly to show important and wealth painted in fineries. In Bianca's apartment in one scene we notice a number of self photographs canversed around; self adoring; this woman has what she wants when she wants her apartment reflects her self loving personality and proudness.

Rufus Sewells character of Petruchio who is Catherine's love interest and suitor in the end is much a matched to her, the expressions and even anger make this pairing once realised quite perfect. She relaxes around him. Petruchio is from the upper class this is apparent even before he opens his mouth. He clothing is luxury wearing furs and even with a clear reference to the Elizabethan era a cerise shirt underneath a jumper; Cerise was a extremely popular but expensive colour only worn by the elite.

Catherines clothing is extremely structured much like the clothing and pieces for woman in the Elizabethan period, high collars, structured collar bones, roll neck jumpers all extremely professional and high maintenance.

Within the beauty within makeup being provided the look is very simple fresh skin and light eyes and lips, hardly any makeup is worn by Catherine even on her wedding day she looks bare, her sister Bianca is slightly more made up with a hint of lip gloss and mascara though still extremely simple and light.

On the wedding day which turns out to be a disastrous affair before romance starts to blossom on their honey mood there are clear as day references to Elizabeth which also includes the Elizabeth I movie with Cate Blanchett where she finds out her potential marriage suitor is a French cross dresser; in the taming of the Shrew the character of Petruchio turns up in a satin jacket and dress looking extremely eccentric and drunk. He even has painted nails to add more anger to Catherine for ruining her special day.

I love this entire production the subtle solutes to the Elizabethan era are only noticed after studying fashions and beauty within that time period.
invest in watching its hilarious