THE TAMING OF THE SHREW

This full-text CBC version of shrewish Kate's harsh wooing and winning does not bother to list the cast, an indication of its workmanlike, uninspired quality. But the actors, while sometimes "stagy," are at least professional, and Petruchio's relish in his role brings fun to what sometimes plods. Speeches reverberate oddly at times, and the production's "original orchestration"--an anemic flute and toy-like strings--punctuates scenes but adds little else. Caveat auditor: It can be tough to know who is speaking in this tale of tangled identities, and the language is dense with puns, double entrendres, and jargon. For full understanding, the Shakespeare-challenged may need to follow along with an annotated text. W.M. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 04]