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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged but way too revised) at Booth Playhouse
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Most people do not realize that the original performances of Shakespeare’s works were done quite tongue-in-cheek. The quintessential bard was passionate about his work but he did not take himself as seriously as most present day scholars. When the Reduced Shakespeare Company was founded in 1981, Co-authors Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield came up with a successfully zany version of Shakespeare’s classic (and not so well-remembered) plays, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). London's longest-running comedy, it played for10 years at the Criterion Theatre and was praised by the Montreal Gazette as "the funniest show you are likely to see in your entire lifetime.”
Twenty years later, and after a stint at Disneyland, Singer and Winfield wrote a revised version that is now playing through November 1, 2009 at North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center’s Booth Theatre. Although it is still rollicking entertainment with actors Reed Martin, Matt Rippy and Austin Tichenor racing through hilarious costume changes in their attempt to run through a condensed version of Shakespeare’s tragedies, histories, comedies and sonnets, the stronger emphasis on slapstick and bawdy jokes is a disappointment, especially if you have seen the original spoof before.
Tichenor’s introduction in the opening is terrific, but Rippy’s biography of the Bard falls short. There is still the same audience participation, reminiscent of Firesign Theatre, but it is not as tastefully done, especially Ophelia’s id, ego and alter ego, which was over the top. The players do quite well with Romeo and Juliet, but run through the football version of all of the plays with King’s names so quickly, the humor is lost to the audience. And, instead of satirizing the sonnets, they use it as an excuse to go to intermission, leaving Reed to lamely entertain the audience with fire-eating and accordion playing.
All in all, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) {Revised}! is still filled with enough belly laughs to make it entertaining. The disclaimer says it is not recommended for people with heart conditions, however, parents with preteen children should also beware.
AT A GLANCE…
WHAT: Reduced Shakespeare Company: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) {revised}!
WHEN: October 27 – November 1, 2009
WHERE: Booth Playhouse (130 North Tryon St. / Charlotte, NC / 28202)
COST: Tickets start at $24.50
TIX/MORE INFO: BlumenthalCenter.org; 704-372-1000; or at the box office
For information: Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at BlumenthalCenter.org, by phone at 704-372-1000, or from the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Box Office located in the Tryon Street lobby of the Belk Theater.
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