‘The Taming Of the Shrew’ is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The main plot depicts the courtship of Petruchio and Katherina, the headstrong, obdurate shrew. Initially, Katherina is an unwilling participant in the relationship; however, Petruchio “tames” her with various psychological torments, such as keeping her from eating and drinking, until she becomes a desirable, compliant, and obedient bride.

Fun Fact : During the photoshoot for this play, Gerson and Pearl, both in the lead roles, wouldn’t fit into the frame (vertically) so Alyque made Gerson kneel for a photo as Gerson was much taller than Pearl.

This was the first Shakespearean Play that both Alyque and Gerson did in St. Xavier’s College and was the very first play AP directed in 1954 and was funded by his father. It was greeted by the late Mr. M.V.Matthews of the Times of India with a cutting review, “One or two laughs in the Shrew”.

Gerson played Petruchio to Pearl Weiz’s (at the time) Katarina. Pearl played a wilful shrew gradually tamed. Alyque had Petruchio, at first attracted by the girl’s dowry, slowly fall in love with his wife. The play was an early success of the Theatre Group after the departure of Ebrahim Alkazi to form his own Theatre Unit.