Alumni shine at Maynardville

Witness Shakespeare’s comedic battle of the sexes as never before. Director and UCT alumnus Tara Notcutt presents this historic run of The Taming of the Shrew with an all-women cast and creative team at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre from 7 February to 3 March.

Matters of gender, marriage and family all come together in this dark comedy, which stars two UCT alumni, Alicia McCormick and Daneel van der Walt.

The production chronicles the tempestuous relationship between the headstrong Kate (McCormick) and the man set on wooing her, Petruchio (Van der Walt). Complete with lip-synching, nineties fashion and an extraordinary cast of women, this classic text is brought into the modern era.

“It is fitting that The Taming of the Shrew was the first play presented at Maynardville, and now it is taking us into the next era.”

The play is the 50th production that Notcutt has directed. Having worked across a range of theatrical styles, this show represents her Shakespearean debut.

“I am honoured to be directing my first Shakespearean play at Cape Town’s iconic Shakespearean venue,” she said.

A historic moment

“This historic production is a first, featuring an all-female cast and team, while at the same time honouring the vision of Maynardville’s founders – to present world-class productions of Shakespeare’s plays in the magic of an open-air venue,” she said.

At 31, Notcutt is the youngest director in the 62-year history of Maynardville. She is also just the fifth woman to direct a performance at the theatre.

The Maynardville Open-Air Theatre has staged The Taming of the Shrew five times since its inception: in 1956, 1965, 1984, 1996 and 2011.

“It is fitting that The Taming of the Shrew was the first play presented at Maynardville, and now it is taking us into the next era,” Notcutt said.

Other UCT alumni in the cast are Naledi Majola (as Tranio) and Ann Juries (as Grumio).

The Taming of the Shrew runs from 7 February to 3 March 2018, at 20:15, Monday to Saturday.

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