Shakespeare Electronic Conference, Vol. 2, No. 111. Monday, 22 Apr 1991.
 
(1)	From: 	Roy Flannagan (FLANNAGA@OUACCVMB.BITNET)
	Date: 	19 April 1991, 19:57:52 EST
	Subj: 	Cleese as Petruchio
 
(2)	Date:   Mon, 22 Apr 91 11:17:57 EDT
	From: 	Nicholas Ranson <R1NR%
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	Subj:	Re: SHK 2.0109  Sexism, Shrews, & John Cleese
 
 
(1) --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
From: 		Roy Flannagan (FLANNAGA@OUACCVMB.BITNET)
Date: 		19 April 1991, 19:57:52 EST
Subject: 	Cleese as Petruchio
 
Yes, it is *the* John Cleese playing Petruchio, under the direction of
Jonathan Miller.  Both Miller and Cleese worked out of similar comic
troupes at Cambridge, Beyond the Fringe and Monty Python.  In an
interview that preceded the original broadcast, Miller said he wanted to
avoid the "slap and tickle" approach to the play: he must have told
Cleese just to project a slow burn or barely controlled rage and to
imply it with almost-violent body language.  When Petruchio and Kate
finally admit love for each other, the moment is even more touching
because they have been such formidable adversaries.
 
						Roy Flannagan
 
(2) --------------------------------------------------------------------
						
Date:    	Mon, 22 Apr 91 11:17:57 EDT
From: 		Nicholas Ranson <R1NR%
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 >
Subject: 2.0109  Sexism, Shrews, & John Cleese
Comment:      	Re: SHK 2.0109  Sexism, Shrews, & John Cleese
 
As I recall, Cleese was chosen by Jonathan Miller, who directed, to play
Petruchio: I remember an interview with Miller explaining why he offered
the part to Cleese.  The play was one of the BBC series productions.