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Duet Acting
Humorous
By William Shakespeare

Complete with a unique and very quick introduction, this cutting from Shakespeare's classic play is fast paced and very challenging. The Shakespearean language is cut in such a way as to make it easy for the audience to follow the story. Petruchio is so quick witted and even tempered that Katherine is quickly frustrated by him! She cannot shake him or discourage him. Everything she does seems to please him!! His plan is masterful. Upon receiving permission to marry her, he whisks her away to his castle, where he proceeds to make her miserable, while pretending to do everything for her sake. He finds the food too hot, so she does not get anything to eat because it is not good enough. He dumps the entire table on the floor, blaming the servants for a bad meal. He decides it is time for bed and orders her off to her room. Turning to the crowd he speaks: "Thus have I politely begun my reign, and tis my hope to end successfully. She ate no meat today, nor none shall eat. Last night she slept not, nor tonight she shall not. As with the meat, some undeserved fault I'll find about the making of the bed, and here I'll fling the pillow, there the bolster; this way the coverlet, another way the sheets. (chuckling) Ay, and amid this hurly, I intend that all is done in reverend care of her." Needless to say, by the end of the duet acting scene, the once wild and fiesty "shrew," Katherine, is tamed!! Excellent high school/college competition material!

Requires one male, one female and two chairs. Pantomime suggestions throughout.

approx. 10-12 min.