REVIEW: Shakespeare in a flash proves to be a surprising winner
The work of William Shakespeare, for many, is an acquired taste — something that isn’t always appreciated naturally or easily. Similarly, parody is not every theater patron’s cup of tea.
Mix the two together and the first offering of the Old Lyric season, “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” bubbles to the top and proves to be an easily accessible and enjoyable taste.
First performed in 1987, “Complete Works” is a seemingly unstructured effort by the so-called Reduced Shakespearean Company who pick snippets and one-liners from the works of The Bard and throw them at the audience at a speed that can only be described as “watch close or you’ll miss it.”
The RSC consists of only three actors, played by OLRC veteran Phillip Lowe and newcomers William Richardson and Nicholas Dunn. The trio claim, in an introduction that gives patrons the production’s first of many forays into participation by the audience itself, to be attempting to “spread the words of The Bard to the masses … hoping for a future where men with chicken legs can wear tights.”
But in reality, the three actors only want to go way, way over the top with their hyper-comedic styles, with cartoon-like mannerisms and stereotypes mixed with well-staged physical humor. Examples? Well, imagine a scene from “Julius Caesar” being combined with a quickie from, say, “Macbeth” — with only three actors of the same gender playing all major parts, remember — and you have layers of costumes and wigs being tossed about, swords being played with, bows being taken after death scenes, and actors stopping to chastise audience members for not paying attention.
Although this type of production is not always seen at the Old Lyric, it feels very much like a staple of summer theater — a small cast, a script which allows for current events and pop culture to be dropped in at will, and new laughs falling on top of the last laugh. Oh, and audience members being part of the production.
The play, as noted by the actors in an hour-long Act I, points out and makes fun of the quirks of Shakespeare, such as his oft-used devices of women dressing up like men found in so many of his comedies and the many deaths of related characters in his tragedies.
As it turns out, “Complete Works” is also an opportunity to show off lighting, sound, set and stage management. Michael Phipps and Felicia Stehmeier more than earn their bows as stage managers, as there is a lot going on and off the stage at running speed. The set design by Shawn Fisher is a combination of cartoon and Picasso, as an abstract Globe Theater feels as though it surrounds the stage.
Dunn, initially, is the weakest of the three actors, overshadowed by a much-too-large cap early in the production, but he soon finds his place. Richardson became the audience favorite opening night with his several female characterizations and use of attitude, voice and body language. Lowe seemed to be having a great time as the glue of the production. All three work well together and are very likeable.
Again, for those with delicate or traditional tastes, here’s an example of how abridged these works really are: In the production’s final moments, the trio throw out scenes from “Hamlet,” taking about, oh, five minutes to condense down the play’s essence. They then condense the already-condensed to about two minutes. And then they do that final two minutes again, but backwards — yes, backwards, right down to the final “You thank” as they take their bows.
Starting off the four-entree menu at the Old Lyric this summer, “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” tastes just fine.
+++++++
“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).”
Running time 2 hours, with a 15-minute intermission
Directed by Jim Christian
Caine Old Lyric Theatre, 28 West Center, Logan
Tickets: 435-797-8022 or http://boxoffice.usu.edu