THE very appropriate eighth venue for a new show by the Reduced Shakespeare Company is the Number 8 arts centre in Pershore.

The new stage show, which was launched at this year's Edinburgh Festival, takes a turn away from the company's usual high speed versions of classics of the Bard towards the bright lights of the silver screen.

Completely Hollywood (abridged), says the company, 'shakes up showbiz in an epic edit of movie masterpieces'.

A spokesman said: "Just when you thought it would be safe to go back to the theatre, the RSC boldly goes where few would dare - Tinseltown!

"You've seen Shakespeare, the Bible and All The Great Books but now get your clapper boards ready. Let the RSC rummage through the reels and flick through the films in this riotous carnival of the classics."

Casablanca, Rocky, Star Wars, Four Weddings and Funeral - none escape the reducing treatment in a show which cuts out the need for hours of film-watching by squeezing all the greats into one pocket-sized package.

The Reduced Shakespeare Company started life in 1981 as an act performing a 20-minute version of Hamlet.

The group's first one-hour version of Shakespeare's complete works came to Edinburgh in 1987 and since then its shows have toured the world, with three troupes speeding through shows at any time.

And what does the company expect for the future? Publicity material states: "The Reduced Shakespeare Company hopes and expects to create and travel on the first manned rocket to Saturn."

Before the plucky cosmonauts blast off, they come to Number 8 on Friday and Saturday, September 23 and 24 for three performances. Call the box office on 01386 55488 for a £14 ticket.

The RSC is also booked in at Malvern Theatres on October 18 and 19 call 01684 892277 or visit www.malvern-thea-tres.co.uk and The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham on November 23 and 26 on 01242 572573 or visit www.everymantheatre.org.uk.