Artwork
The Taming of the Shrew poster
The Taming of the Shrew poster is a poster by Exchange Printing Co.. It dates from 1919 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1919 typographic poster advertises a production of The Taming of the Shrew by the Benson Shakespearean Company.
About this work
Overview
This 1919 typographic poster advertises a production of The Taming of the Shrew by the Benson Shakespearean Company. Designed by Exchange Printing Co., it promotes a performance at Manchester’s Queen’s Theatre and Opera House on November 17, 1919. The poster’s design is purely textual, eschewing imagery to convey essential details about the play, its cast, and venue.
Subject & Meaning
The poster announces a staging of Shakespeare’s comedy The Taming of the Shrew, a play centered on themes of gender dynamics and social hierarchy. By emphasizing the title and playwright, the design aligns the production with the broader cultural legacy of Shakespearean theater, positioning it as an event of literary and dramatic significance.
Technique & Style
Executed in a restrained typographic style, the poster relies on hierarchical text arrangement to guide the viewer’s attention. Bold red lettering for the title contrasts with a muted brown background, creating visual emphasis without illustration. The layout is structured yet understated, prioritizing clarity and legibility over decorative flourishes.
History & Provenance
Commissioned by the Benson Shakespearean Company, the poster was printed by Exchange Printing Co. for a single performance in Manchester. Its survival offers insight into early 20th-century theatrical advertising, particularly for touring productions of classic plays. The absence of imagery suggests an emphasis on textual authority and the prestige of the performers.
Context
Produced in the aftermath of World War I, the poster reflects a period of renewed interest in cultural events, including Shakespearean revivals. The Benson Shakespearean Company, known for its touring productions, catered to audiences seeking traditional theatrical experiences. The design’s simplicity may also reflect the practical constraints of early 20th-century printing.
Legacy
As a typographic advertisement, the poster exemplifies the enduring role of printed ephemera in promoting theater. Its straightforward design underscores the effectiveness of text-based communication in conveying key details about a performance. The work remains a document of early 20th-century Shakespearean production practices and commercial printing techniques.
Artist & collection
Artist
This commercial printer turned Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew into a 1919 poster with bold lettering and flat stripes of red, green, and yellow, colors meant to leap off New York streetcar kiosks.
