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SINGAPORE : “Our society’s collective ability to comprehend the genius of William Shakespeare... has been severely compromised by computers, vandalised by video games and annihilated by ‘American Idol’!”
Those were the sad but true opening lines, of an introduction to “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” which is now showing at the Drama Centre.
Though, if studying Shakespeare in school was anything like the crazy ball of fun that was seen on stage, you’d be sure that that would definitely not be the case.
From Shakespeare’s famous tragedies including “Romeo and Juliet” and “Macbeth”, to his whimsical comedies like “Much Ado About Nothing”, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, and even his sonnets, this is definitely one Shakespeare crash course that you wouldn’t want to miss.
Staged by the RSC – that’s the “unorthodox” Reduced Shakespeare Company, not to be confused with the “true-to-the-book” Royal Shakespeare Company – audiences are treated to a roller-coaster ride of 37 of Shakespeare’s works in a short 97 minutes.
If you thought reading or watching Shakespeare’s works were a serious and boring matter, you couldn’t be more mistaken. In fact, the only thing that this play seems serious in is having you in stitches by the end of the night.
Shakespeare himself once wrote a famous monologue in the play “As You Like It”:
“All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts…”
With the entire production staged by just three talented American actors (Reed Martin, Matt Rippy and Austin Tichenor) who indeed played more than many parts, what Shakespeare wrote couldn’t have been more apt.
Though, intentionally or unintentionally staying true to Shakespeare’s Elizabethan times, there were no “real women” spotted on this stage.
Yes, that means lots of quick changes, men in drag and plenty of laughs.
Flying through all of Shakespeare’s elaborate vocabulary, the actors, some of whom have been performing this play since it was first performed more than 10 years ago, are needless to say articulate, effortless and have an undeniable chemistry between them.
Though, I have to admit that the quick banter during certain bits were a tad difficult to keep up with at times. But I guess that’s only to be expected trying to squeeze so much into such a small time frame.
If you’re having trouble thinking about how 16th century Shakespeare can be relevant and creative in the 21st century, try imagining the tragedy of “Othello”, told through beat-box and rap in respect to his “African-Italian” heritage.
However, my favourite moment of the show definitely had to be the show’s depiction of “Hamlet” which culminated in a Freudian analysis of the female antagonist Ophelia.
Reminiscent of a cosy theatre workshop, it had the entire audience participating in telling the story and had me laughing till I was in tears by the end of it.
To enjoy this already extremely enjoyable play for all its worth, I’d definitely suggest trying to recall what your literature teacher said about soliloquies, allegories and iambic pentameters.
But even if you can’t, you might just want to get a good gist of Shakespeare’s major literary works before watching the performance.
From beginning to end, despite the show’s simple set and being slightly slapstick at times, there was nary a dull moment and never have I seen Shakespeare presented in such a clever, creative and delightful way.
This is definitely a must watch for all Shakespeare fans, and even for those who aren’t as keen, this might just be the show that will change your mind. Unfortunately, the remaining shows are all sold out. Hopefully we don't have to wait another decade for these guys to return to Singapore.
- CNA/os
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