The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), which was booking until September 23, 2007 at the Arts Theatre, will now close three weeks earlier – on September 2, 2007.
Previously Posted: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) returns to the Arts Theatre – the play’s home in 1992 – for a limited season – from Tuesday, June 12 until Sunday, September 23, 2007.
Audiences are invited to loosen their doublets, sort out their singlets, clutch their codpieces and join these madcap men in tights as they weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s 37 plays in just 97 minutes.
A trio of actors perform Hamlet forwards, backwards and sideways and Titus Andronicus as a TV cookery programme, while Othello is given the ‘rap’ treatment. And as the comedies aren’t anywhere near as funny as the tragedies, all 16 are condensed into Four Weddings and a Transvestite.
After ten years at the Criterion Theatre, The Complete Works became London’s longest-running comedy. It has since conquered the entire globe, becoming a cult classic in the process. It was praised by the Los Angeles Times as ‘wildly funny’ and by the Montreal Gazette as ‘the funniest show you are likely to see in your entire lifetime’.
However, the show does come with a warning – that it’s not recommended for people with heart ailments, bladder problems, inner-ear disorders and/or people inclined to motion sickness.
The new production is presented by Mark Goucher, Act Productions and Wimpole Theatre in association with the Arts Theatre.
Tickets: £10 – £39.50.
For more information call the box office on 0870 060 1742 or visit the website.