![\"Rarely](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Taming-of-the-Shrew1.jpg\" "\\"Taming")
<\/a>Trolleys rumble by and two men argue on the street side of the playing venue, then stumble into The Theatre, Inc., to become part of the show. It’s a modern dress production of William Shakespeare’s rarely performed \u201cKing John,\u201d staged by Intrepid Shakespeare Company in repertory through June 6 with Shakespeare’s much-performed “Taming of the Shrew.”<\/p>\nBased on actual history, \u201cKing John\u201d recounts 10 years (1206-1216) in the life of the title character, who engages in an international struggle over his right to rule. Arthur, young son of John\u2019s deceased elder brother Geoffrey, and the Dauphin of France, who marries John\u2019s niece, Blanche, challenge the succession. John denounces the Pope\u2019s edict, causing his own excommunication and the breaking of a peace treaty with France, which in turn causes war between the two nations.<\/p>\n
The most fascinating character in \u201cKing John\u201d is fictional. He is Phillip Faulconbridge, son of John\u2019s other deceased brother, Richard the Lionhearted. John names him Plantagenet and appoints him head of the forces opposing France. <\/p>\n
Staged by Intrepid founders Sean Cox and Christy Yael, the production firmly establishes the heretofore-spotty young company as a prime contender among San Diego\u2019s smaller theaters devoted to the classics. Even supporting roles, largely played by the same company as \u201cShrew,\u201d are exemplary in \u201cKing John,\u201d which stars some of the city\u2019s most riveting actors. Among them are Cox in the plum part of Phillip, the Bastard; Tom Hall as King John; Glynn Bedington as John\u2019s powerful mother, Elinor; the impressive young actor Austyn Myers as Arthur; and Savvy Scopelleti as Arthur\u2019s devoted mother, Constance. Wendy Waddell performs double duty as Lady Faulconbridge and Cardinal Pandulph. Others in the large company are Danny Campbell, James Cota, Durwood Murray, Molly O\u2019Meara, Christopher Loren Renda, Michael Salimitari, Greg Wittman and Eddie Yaroch.<\/p>\n
Bardophiles must not miss this well-done and fascinating romp through \u201cKing John,\u201d last produced in San Diego by the Old Globe Theatre in 1968. <\/p>\n
Directed by a triumvirate of Cox, Yael and Jason D. Rennie, the less successful \u201cTaming of the Shrew\u201d nonetheless bears the distinction of same-sex lovers in Kate \u201cthe cursed\u201d (Jenni Prisk) and the opportunistic Petruchio (Sandra Ellis-Troy), who comes to Padua in this case disguised as Petruchio, determined to \u201cwive it wealthily.\u201d Ellis-Troy brings off the disguise with little overt swagger, lowering her voice only when she\u2019s afraid her ruse will be exposed. Prisk speaks the speech beautifully and one of the most touching moments in the play occurs when she tacitly observes Petruchio in an unguarded moment, realizes he is a she, and loves her anyway. It rather makes the play\u2019s contentious conclusion go down like a spoonful of sugar.<\/p>\n
In the main, Cox and Yael and their intrepid Intrepid thespians overcome The Theatre\u2019s biggest challenge: high ceilings that tend to diffuse and thus muddle over loud speech. <\/p>\n
Intrepid is dedicated to bringing the works of Shakespeare alive for modern audiences, boldly, accessibly and affordably. \u201cKing John\u201d plays alternating in repertory with \u201cThe Taming of the Shrew.\u201d Both works may be seen on Saturdays and Sundays through June 6, with individual performances Thursdays and Fridays. <\/p>\n