Laughing with Shakespeare, Not at Him

Shakespeare. Where does that name bring you back to? I’m guessing high school English class. And you’re probably thinking, “I did some of my best napping during English class.” Maybe you’re another type of person though, and you’re remembering how the legendary writer changed your life. Or maybe you don’t remember learning about Shakespeare at all (you took a lot of naps, huh?). If you’re like me though, you’re still in high school and you’re still learning about Shakespeare. Well, it doesn’t matter which type of person you are. I can guarantee you will enjoy The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged (directed by Steve Tague) playing at the Delaware Theatre Company now through December 23.

Having doubts that you’ll be able to enjoy a play about works you can hardly remember from years ago? Don’t worry; you don’t need to be a Shakespeare expert to enjoy this comedy. I would suggest being older than thirteen though. The play has some PG-13 rated humor (if you’re younger than that most of it will go right over your head, which is a shame because it’s so funny).Both those who have suffered through his plays in school and those who have enjoyed them will find this production comical.

In As You Like It Shakespeare writes, “All the world's a stage… And one man in his time plays many parts.” No one could have said it better.Especially when it concerns the actors of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged. Did I mention that there are only three of them? Jason O’Connell, Jeffrey C. Hawkins, and Joseph Midyett all perform multiple parts in each condensed play of Shakespeare’s (including all of the female roles) in a little over two hours! Time moves much faster than that though. It feels as if you’re not at a play at all. The actors hilariously stumble through the condensed plays, and play an assortment of characters but maintain their own personalities through it all. The most refreshing thing about the performance is the fact that you are directly spoken to for much of the play. There is no ‘wall’ separating the stage and the audience.

As for each actor individually, I believe this combination was perfect. Jeffrey C. Hawkins entered the play looking like an uptight, slightly pretentious scholar. He made a total transition from the beginning to the end as he played several different characters. When he rapped Shakespeare’s Othello (complete with rapper apparel) I was very impressed. Joseph Midyett interacted with the audience like they were old friends he had just run into in the theater. His outrageous performances as the ladies of Shakespeare’s plays were no match for when he performed a soliloquy in the second act. The audience sat in a shocked silence as people listened in awe. Jason O’Connell shines using his talent for improvisation. When he is left to fend for himself and tell jokes he takes the audience’s reaction and spins it into yet something else to laugh at (begging a surprised audience member to stay as she gets up to leave the theater for a moment).

The original writers of the play (Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield) were smart enough (in 1987) to leave enough flexibility in it so that local references can be adapted to it and it would still maintain its humor. This version of the play is full of improvisation and I was deeply impressed with the actors’ ability to think on their feet. They reacted to things going on in the audience and even made jokes about them (that you knew couldn’t have been rehearsed). Also, audience participation plays a large role (especially in the second act) when they call on someone to play the part of Ophelia in Hamlet (everyone else is involved in a different way).

One thing that particularly intrigued me was that the theater lights didn’t go out for large periods of time during the performance. I’ve personally never seen a play like this before. You look at the actors and they look right back at you. Thanks to the lighting design by Troy A. Martin-O’Shia it was clear from the start that this was no ordinary play. 

Different references to pop culture kept this play from being ordinary as well. There is enough of a mix to keep everyone laughing. More mature crowds will recognize some classic movie references and the younger crowd is in for a big surprise.

Seeing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged is an experience you shouldn’t miss. Each production is an original with improvisation that can’t be copied into another performance. You’ll be in for a night of non-stop laughter. Even Shakespeare himself would enjoy the frivolity of the production. Just don’t be afraid to give into the sidesplitting and uncontrollable case of nonstop laughter that will overcome you throughout the production.

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