Ballet in two acts Choreography by John Cranko
In front of Baptista´s house The dandy Hortensio, the student Lucentio and old Gremio are in love with Baptista´s younger daughter Bianca. They serenade her but are surprised by his older ill-tempered daughter Katharina. Baptista declares that Katharina must first be married off before Bianca can marry. The neighbours protest against the late-night disturbance.
In a tavern The unsuccessful prostitue´s clients retire to a public house where they discover Petruchio whose money has been stolen by two prostitutes. The clients suggest that Petruchio marries Katharina who can expect a considerable dowry. Petruchio agrees.
In the yard of Baptista´s house Petruchio asks Baptista for Katharina´s hand in marriage. The three clients disguised as singing, music and dancing teachers take this opportunity to flirt with Bianca. Katharina consents to the marriage after a fierce dispute.
In front of Baptista´s house The guests arrive for Katharina´s wedding but consider the whole affair rather like a joke. Bianca´s three admirers are also present, each eyeing the other suitor jealously.
Katharina´s wedding During the marriage ceremony, Petruchio behaves abominably and finally makes off with Katharina, deserting the guests.
The journey to Petruchio´s house Through storm and rain, Petruchio takes his shrew of a wife home.
At Petruchio´s house Katharina arrives hungry and drenched. On the pretext that the meal would not be good enough for his wife, Petruchio sends the prepared food back and lets her go hungry.
Carnival Lucentio persuades two prostitutes to dress up as Bianca. Hortensio and Gremio are deluded by the masquerade and marry the prostitutes.
At Petruchio´s house Katharina is hungry and cold. While Petruchio continually deceives her and forces her to consent against her will, her resistance gradually breaks down.
The journey to Bianca´s wedding Katharina is gradually coming to like Petruchio´s high spirits.
Bianca´s wedding While Katharina and Petruchio are becoming a loving and harmonious couple, Lucentio´s marriage with Bianca and the relationships of Gremio and Hortensio with the two prostitutes appear to be ill-fated.
