Ruth Leon recommends… Kiss Me, Petruchio – Public Theater
Ruth Leon recommendsKiss Me, Petruchio – Public Theater
Click here to watch Part 1
Click here to watch Part 2
The Delacourt Theater in Central Park is one of the glories of summer in New York. Every year the Public Theater, formed in 1954 by Joseph Papp, performs Shakespeare plays, free, for Shakespeare-loving New Yorkers.
The greatest stars of American theatre and movies have performed here, some at the start of their careers, others to round them off, and every night is a surprise.
I remember with great fondness a Taming of the Shrew in 1981, starring Meryl Streep and the late great Raul Julia which, I’m delighted to say, was filmed and formed part of a performance/documentary which displays at least some of the quality of the production and its then-less well known stars as well as interviews with them with some great quotes.
It’s in two parts so a bit fiddly to watch in its entirety, and the technical quality has necessarily diminished over the years but, if you want to know what made NY’s amazing Public Theater so vibrant, it’s all here.
I really miss Raul Julia.