LEWISTON — Aquila Theatre Company, in collaboration with L/A Arts and Bates College, will perform William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” on Saturday, Sept. 29.

Set in the idyllic town of Padua, “The Taming of the Shrew” tells the timeless story of the battle of the sexes. Bianca Minola, the beautiful daughter of a lord, is eligible for marriage but cannot be courted until her elder sister, Katherina, finds a husband. Katherina’s quick temper and acerbic wit, however, frighten off every potential suitor.

Feeling that they are running out of options, two suitors hire a newcomer named Petruchio to seduce and “tame” Katherina. After their exchanges of wisecracks and double-entendres, Petruchio succeeds in dragging Katharina to the altar then away to his country home. Once there, the taming process begins, with both sides unwilling to yield.

From its earliest productions at the Globe to Michael Bogdanov’s 1978 production at the Royal Shakespeare Company to Gil Junger’s modern retelling, “10 Things I Hate About You,” “Shrew” has proven itself adaptable to each new generation. The story, with its domestic power plays and controversial depiction of marriage, has been the subject of multiple operas and the backdrop for Cole Porter’s Tony Award-winning musical “Kiss Me Kate.”

“The Taming of the Shrew” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in Bate College’s Schaeffer Theatre, 305 College St. Tickets are $15, with limited seating available. Call 782-7228 or visit www.laarts.org. There will be a free preshow discussion led by a local scholar at 6:30 p.m. in the Bates Chapel, 275 College St.  

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