Bogan Shakespeare: Taming of the Shrew brings a sharp feminist twist, local WA satire and big comic energy to the Bard’s most divisive comedy at Fringe World. Harvey Rae writes.
Reviews/Theatre
Taming of the Bard
1 February 2026
- Reading time • 4 minutesTheatre
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Cover Image: Embodying the Bard with a distinctly bogan twist in Bogan Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. Photo supplied.
Bogan Shakespeare: Taming of the Shrew
Heath Ledger Theatre, 28 January 2026
Bogan Shakespeare go comedy?? What fresh hell is this?!
In their 11th year at Fringe World, WA’s own theatre juggernaut BS Productions have ditched the tragedy of murderous betrayal and dipped their toes into perhaps the Bard’s most divisive comedy.
Taking on The Taming of the Shrew is always going to be a gamble because it’s 2026 and the subject matter is, well, sexist AF. “Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper/ Thy head, thy sovereign; one that cares for thee.” What was Willy Shakes thinking?
With that in mind, playwright Dean Lovatt has done a wonderful job crafting a feminist revision of Shrew, turning main character Katherine Minola (played by Jess Lally) from villain to hero, while ingénue sister Bianca (Sarah Courtis) slowly becomes the true baddy. One of the show’s funniest moments comes when hideously smug would-be matchmakers Bianca and Lucentio (Dawson Andrew) are revealed for the “trad wife” and “finance bro” they really are.
Mirroring Katherine’s transformation from irritable, opinionated femme fatale into feminist role model is the bloke she’s set up with, Petruchio (Dean Lovatt). Reminiscent of Seth Rogan’s character Ben Stone in the Judd Apatow film Knocked Up, Petruchio goes from lovable (if alcoholic and overbearing) larrikin to sensitive new age guy, and Lovatt handles some of the surprisingly emotional weight near the end with all the panache of a good rom-com.
All this in the idyllic surrounds of Margaret River, where familiar landmarks like Settlers Tavern, the Margaret River Chocolate Company and Crooked Carrot get lightly roasted, and a stoner wine tour guide brilliantly named Bladeriane (Maiken Kruger), gets some of the biggest laughs. Namaste!
Fringe World production. Photo supplied.
(Kruger reappears in several roles, with the bored waiter at Settlers a particular highlight, explaining the ‘advantages’ of QR codes versus ordering at the bar. This troupe rarely misses a trick.)
It’s the local references that stand out in every BS Production and ensure audiences come flocking back, season after season. It might make touring overseas a tough proposition (rumour has it Edinburgh Fringe is in their sights), but they’re clever enough to adapt and have already taken shows interstate. Wouldn’t it be great to see another local success story make it on the world stage?
Taming of the Shrew runs until Sunday, 1 February 2026. Tickets from Bogan Shakespeare Presents: Taming of the Shrew | FRINGE WORLD – 21 January – 15 February 2026
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