Bogan Shakespeare has now spent 11 years reworking Shakespeare’s plays with a West Australian spin, and while the formula is familiar, it’s one that generally works. This year’s take on Taming of the Shrew leans more heavily into commentary around middle-aged dating, which at times feels a little too on the nose. Some moments land better than others, and the lower dramatic stakes of the source material mean this adaptation doesn’t quite reach the heights of some previous years. Or maybe Bogan Shakespeare Presents: Romeo and Juliet was just that good that whatever followed would always have some difficulty.

That said, the cast are clearly comfortable in the world they’ve created. The performances are solid as always, and the jokes come thick with local references that reward a WA audience. There were moments where the humour felt slightly too on the nose, and at times it genuinely felt like you were sitting in the middle of someone else’s argument. All the while, I still enjoyed myself and enjoyed their very accurate depiction of the quintessential Margaret River wine tour. It probably feels akin to an experience you may have had once before.

It may not be the most dramatic or daring of Bogan Shakespeare’s shows but it’s still a solid Fringe option. The show will run until the 1st of February at 6.30 at the State Theatre Centre. It’s the perfect way to start a night out, followed by dinner, or even a little double-feature moment if you’re feeling an extra taste of Fringe on the night.