Fast, furious, free and funny
Burbage brings Shakespeare to Isle Brewers Guild
PAWTUCKET – If you don’t do anything else between now and Sunday, get to Pawtucket to see the Burbage Theatre Company’s production of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).”
The play is a wacky take on the Bard’s works, and Burbage’s production is 90 minutes of non-stop, high-energy, over-the-top comedy. Hilarious is an understatement. “Abridged” is another understatement. All Shakespeare’s comedies end up bundled into one twisted segment. All the historical plays are presented in terms of a football game, with lines like, “Cordelia, go long!” Highlights suf- fice for “Julius Caesar,” which is represented by his murder, and for “Macbeth,” reduced to one duel. Three actors play all the Shakespearian characters as well as members of the theatrical troupe undertaking this feat. In the latter roles, Burbage’s Andrew Iacovelli, James Lucey and Jeff Church, who also directs, speak directly to the audience and to each other, so there is lot of room for witty ad libs and sardonic references to current events. Each one brings an abundance of comedic talent to their roles. Lucey often gets the deadpan lines, as when he follows up a complex quote by commenting, “I don’t know what it means either.”
Iacovelli is the chameleon, and not just because he plays so many of the female roles. His character often is the wet blanket, whining about “long speeches and big words,” but once on board, he’s a hoot.
Church is a master at coor- dinating comments with gestures, as when he innocently fishes into his voluminous bloomers for his “Willy,” by which he means a copy of “The Works of William Shakespeare.”
After spending 15 minutes performing – and arguing about – “Romeo and Juliet,” the three realize at that rate they’ll be occupied nearly 10 hours. The need for speed becomes part of the humor, and there is a healthy dose of physical comedy to go along with it. Pratfalls, fake fights, wardrobe and wig malfunctions and a boatload of goofy props – including rubbery swords – keep the visual laughs coming as fast as the verbal quips.
Just when they think they’re done, however, the actors realize they’ve left out “Hamlet.” After calling for an intermission, they take on this final tragedy – in high gear. The audience is divided into groups and given lines to re- cite. The actors whip up the energy leading to a finale that is fast, funny and verbally astounding.
Two additional things recommend this production: it’s free, although donations are welcome, and there is beer. This is not Shakespeare “in the park,” but Shakespeare at the brewery – specifically the Isle Brewers Guild. On clear nights, the production is staged in a courtyard behind the tap room; if it rains, the show moves inside an adjacent building.
Wherever this show lands, however, it is unbeatable fun.
Only four performances of Burbage Theatre Company’s “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) remain: tonight through Sunday at 7 p.m. at Isle Brewers Guild, 461 Main St. For information, visit www.burbagetheatre.org, or leave a message at info@burbagetheatre.org or (401) 484-0355.