Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) - Swan Theatre

12:07pm Tuesday 4th March 2008

POKING fun at Shakespeare is highly amusing for everyone.

Especially when the poking is part of the Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged); an irreverent, whirlwind of a production in which a cast of three perform all of Shakespeare's plays in 97 minutes.

This production, based on the original Reduced Shakespeare Company show, is undeniably funny.

Whilst taking the mick out of Shakepearian plots and acknowledging that even the mention of Hamlet will make most teenagers run a mile, there is endless respect for the works.

The cast, when not leaping about the stage in tights and Converse high-tops, discuss Shakepeare's merits and show the audience, who truly ranged in age, why the world loves this playwright warts and all.

Aside from that, it is laugh-out-loud entertaining, bursting with visual comedy, slap-sick, audience interaction, word play and wit.

Othello is reduced to an hilarious rap complete with human beatbox; the Histories represented by a single game of American football; and the comedies - which "are no where near as funny as the tragedies" - combined into one show entitled Four Weddings and a Transvestite.

Their memorable version of Hamlet, which forms the entire second act, is simply not worth missing. I'll be interested to see if David Tennant can do a better job with the Royal Shakespeare Company this summer.

Editor's choice