William Shakespeare's tale of Petruchio marrying Kate, a sassy, strong-willed woman, then proceeding to systematically break her has often been presented as a romantic comedy, but Connall Morrison's production laid bare the gut-wrenching chronicle of abuse. Michelle Gomez described playing Kate as having "been tragic for 18 months". Petruchio was played by Stephen Boxer.
Michelle Gomez and Stephen Boxer on the cover of the theatre programme for The Taming of the Shrew, with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
From Very Gomez private collection.
Photo of Michelle Gomez from the theatre programme for The Taming of the Shrew, RSC.
From Very Gomez private collection.
Photo of Michelle Gomez taken from the theatre programme for The Taming of the Shrew by the RSC.
Photo credit: Very Gomez.
Performance schedule from the theatre programme for The Taming of the Shrew, showing the dates in Stratford, Newcastle and at the Novello Theatre, London.
From Very Gomez private collection.
Cover of a publicity leaflet for The Taming of the Shrew at the Novello theatre.
Part of Very Gomez private collection.
Extract from the leaflet for The Taming of the Shrew at the Novello theatre.
Part of Very Gomez private collection.
Reverse of a publicity leaflet for The Taming of the Shrew at the Novello theatre, showing dates and ticket information.
Part of Very Gomez private collection.
Michelle Gomez and Stephen Boxer in The Taming of the Shrew.
Photo Credit: Simon Annand.
Michelle Gomez and Stephen Boxer in The Taming of the Shrew.
Photo Credit: Simon Annand.
Michelle Gomez in The Taming of the Shrew.
Photo Credit: Simon Annand.
Michelle Gomez in The Taming of the Shrew.
Photo Credit: Simon Annand.
Production photo from The Taming of the Shrew with Michelle Gomez.
Photo Credit: Simon Annand.
RSC publicity for the 2008-09 London Season, including The Taming of the Shrew.