Rosedale Shakespeare is delighted to announce our virtual production of The Gaming of the Shrew, written by Amber Elby. This play was inspired by tabletop gaming and William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. It explores the boundaries and overlap between the game, the play, and real life.

This play features five characters—friends, siblings, and partners—who have come together to enjoy a role-playing game called Prisons & Princes one last time. But they each have much bigger battles ahead of them.

Our intrepid band:

Kath, a corporate go-getter who will not be stopped by anyone or anything, even her tumultuous relationship (Natasha Magigi)

Bea, a visual artist and idealist who wants to chase her dreams both in and out of the game (Becca Musser)

Chio, an egotistical musician who believes that a proposal to his girlfriend will solve all of his numerous problems (John Baltisberger)

Luce, a teacher who is too fearful to share their poetry or their true feelings (Oskar Brian)

Chris Sly, the game master, story teller and, unfortunately for him, someone who believes things should stay exactly as they are (Emily Carding)

Together on their quest through Padua to find the goddess Baptista, the friends will encounter much more than they bargained for, including each other. This play explores themes of self-determination, love—both healthy and unhealthy—and what happens when what we’re hiding is brought to light.