Thirty-seven Shakespeare plays, three actors, less than two hours. After numerous performances around the globe and a nine year stint on London’s West End the premise of this piece will be familiar to many. Having made its world premiere at the Fringe in 1987 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Abridged returns to the capital with Tread the Boards Theatre Company to celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary.
This show is positively overflowing with energy and the sheer effort of the cast is admirable. However, the energy explodes out of them through a lot of running around and shouting - the result is that the entire show, with the exception of a rather beautiful monologue from Andy Maguire, remains in one, high gear with little variation. The performance could be improved by harnessing the fantastic energy the cast has, but adding in changes of volume and tone to make it more interesting and engaging.
There are some segments, including the 16 comedies being combined into one, that are slick, interestingly staged and generally well done. However, for large portions of the show it all seemed a little inane and resembled a dumbed down children’s show. Although it aims to be entertaining - and can help spark interest in Shakespeare by making it more accessible - there is a difference between this and assuming the audience are idiots. Too often cheap gags and lowest common denominator comedy were used to gain cheap laughs.
The basis for a great show is there: energy, some slick sections, and good improv - with a bit more thought, intelligence, and some variations in pace it could be achieved. As it is, there is a distinctly dumb, children’s television vibe that fails to credit the audience with any intelligence and becomes predictable and same-y.