Cambridge American Stage Tour Gives Shakespeare a Modern Twist

On Monday, September 14, a group of acting students known as the Cambridge American Stage Tour (CAST) entertained students, professors, and the general public in the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.  CAST is Cambridge University’s largest international tour.  The English Department brought CAST back to Frostburg, with multiple professors hosting the traveling students in their own homes.  Frostburg State English majors had the chance to meet with the Cambridge students prior to their performance at the English Department picnic.

Each year, CAST takes an original Shakespearean piece, and turns it into a modern, comic performance.  Their 2015 production of The Taming of the Shrew is directed by Kennedy Bloomer.  In The Taming of the Shrew, two sisters struggle with love.  Katherine, the older, shrew sister, must marry in order for her younger, more desirable sister to marry one of her many suitors.  Katherine is not eager to be bothered by love or a husband, but her overbearingly sweet sister makes her longing for a husband well noticed.  Their father, Baptista, oversees their individual relationships and attempts to manage the notably different sisters.

This witty version of Shakespeare was very clearly set in the 1980’s – with pop music blasting in between scenes, men wearing skinny jeans and bold colored jackets, and the bride rocking grunge boots.  With far travels limiting their set, characters danced around while re-arranging the small boxes used for each scene.

The time FSU English students spent with the members of CAST was entertaining and informative for all involved.  The casual setting allowed students to mingle and talk about whatever.  Many Cambridge students commented on the drinking age in the United States, the concept of sexual of education in public schools, and the differences between universities in America and the United Kingdom.  Many of the actors kept catching themselves forgetting that American university students must study a variety of general education courses.  The Cambridge students immediately jump into their chosen studies.  The picnic setting made it simple for all students to converse freely about anything on their minds.

Meeting with the Cambridge students, and then seeing their familiar faces later on stage, made The Taming of the Shrew performance that much more entertaining.  Taking the time to get to know the actors and understanding their personalities outside of the theatre helped to better understand their characters.  Though the acting was highly impressive, their individual personalities were occasionally seen through their facial expressions and senses of humor.

CAST was established in 2000 under the patronage of Dame Judi Dench.  Since this start, now 16 years ago, the tour has made annual trips to colleges, high schools, and professional theatres all over the East Coast to share their talent.  Many of these actors are on the brink of entering the world of professional theatre.

After the performance, the audience had another chance to speak with the members of CAST.  The welcoming performers took their bows and immediately returned to sit at the front of the stage, readily available for any questions or comments.

The following morning, CAST took off to Pennsylvania to continue their tour.  The actors, designers, managers, directors, and all others involved in the production will continue to share their talents and passions up and down the East Coast for the remainder of the month.