Tag: THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (Abridged) –

ASP Serves Up Comic Cliff Notes on the Bard with ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)’

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ASP’s ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)’. Ivy Ryan, Marc Pierre, Rachel Belleman; Photos: Nile Scott Studios

by Kevin Patterson

‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)’ – Written by Jess Winfield, Adam Long, Daniel Singer; Directed by Christopher V. Edwards; Scenic Design by Afsoon Pajoufar; Lighting Design by Aja Jackson; Sound Design by Elizabeth Cahill; Costume Design by Ysabelle Regis. Presented by Actors Shakespeare Project at Charlestown Working Theater, 442 Bunker Hill St, Charlestown through January 12

What’s in a name?  If the title of the Actors’ Shakespeare Company’s newest production The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) is any indication, a name may well perfectly encapsulate the essence of a thing. Behind what may seem to be a promise of schoolhouse pedantry, this new production prepares an ambush of low-key, unassuming fun for the whole family.

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Burbage at the Brewery’s THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (Abridged) –

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Reviewed by Tony Annicone

 

Burbage Theatre’s latest show is “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” written by the Reduced Shakespeare Company. The show is a parody of the plays written by Shakespeare, all 37 plays in 90 minutes. It is an irreverent, fast-paced romp through all the Bard’s plays in shortened form by three actors. The actors speak directly to the audience during much of the play and some scenes involve audience participation. Improvisation plays an important role with the actors deviating from the script. They open the show with a parody of “Romeo and Juliet”, then combine the comedies into a convoluted reading by stating that they recycle the same plot devices and they do this while wearing red noses. They then tackle the histories and the tragedies. The second act is a very hilarious performance of “Hamlet.” Jeff Church directs the talented and energetic performers in the show wonderfully, bringing a lot of shtick and slapstick antics to keep the audience entertained for the whole performance. They win a resounding standing ovation at the end of the show!

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