Episode 490. Shakespeare And Burlesque

Richard Schoch is Professor of Drama at Queen’s University in Belfast, and the author of “Not Shakespeare: Bardolatry and Burlesque in the 19th Century.” Richard was working at the Folger Shakespeare Library during our first week there and wrote a blog post about the history of Shakespearean parody. Spoiler alert: The Reduced Shakespeare Read more

By austin, ago

A Hoot, a Palpable Hoot!

The world premiere of William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (abridged) opened April 23-24, 2016 at the Folger Shakespeare Library, and critics and audiences agree: Long Lost Shakes "...is an absolute, resolute, hoot, of a bawdy comedy of errors!" Broadway World "A breathlessly irreverent and Read more
By austin, ago

Episode 455. BackRoom Shakespeare Backstage

RSC Managing Partner Austin Tichenor performed with the Back Room Shakespeare Project in their production of The Merchant of Venice in July 2015 at the Radler Bar & Restaurant, and because his roles were relatively (thankfully) small, he roamed the backstage area interviewing actors and audience members about their preparation and expectations. Featuring an audio excerpt of the performance, similarities to tricksy hobbits, navigating the play’s racism and anti-semitism, finding the comedy, and the joys and terrors of performing in a riotous pit of bloodthirsty drunks. NOTE: BRSP co-founder Samuel Taylor (who coined the expression embroidered into a sampler by Kate Pitt) discusses the Project’s aims and philosophies in his book My Life With The Shakespeare Cult on RSC Podcast episode 437. (Length 23:57)

By austin, ago

Episode 452. Beyond The Stage

Reed Martin, Austin Tichenor, and Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival workshop cast members Chad Yarish, Dan Saski, and Teddy Spencer discuss the development of the new script William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) as part of NDSF’s “Beyond The Stage” series. Featuring questions from NDSF Artistic Director Grant Mudge and members of the audience, and discussion about the power of story, outrageous tales of audience participation, the challenges of working with two directors, the tricks of telling the truth and interacting with the public, inevitable comparisons, and the wonder of Shakespearean inspiration. (Length 22:18)

By austin, ago

Busy Busy Fall!

In addition to our ongoing UK Tour of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) , and our performances of The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) around the US, we're excited to make our debut in mainland China with performances of Shakespeare (abridged) at Read more
By austin, ago

The UK is OK!

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) continues its smash hit UK tour! Buy tickets now before the tourcloses on November 16. If you miss the show on tour you'll have one last chance to see the show at the Park Theatre in London Read more
By austin, ago

Shakespeare is in Hong Kong

No, the Bard himself is not in China. But the RSC will be performing the show - The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)  October 14-27 at the Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts. And check this out! The President of Singapore Read more
By austin, ago
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]

Don Your Doublet and Clutch Your Codpiece!

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]We Bad Boys of Abridgement continue our tour of the UK through August, with our original minimus opus The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised], an irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s plays – all 37 in 97 minutes! Join we madcap men in tights as we weave our wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter.

“STUPENDOUS, ANCHORLESS JOY!” Times (more…)

By austin, ago
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]

Meet the Men in Tights…

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised]The cast traipsing about the UK will consist of a couple of wily RSC veterans and two squirrelly newcomers.

* Aging ingenue Matt Rippy leads the charge, having been a member of the RSC since 1995 and having performed in five Reduced shows in seven countries on five continents, many of them solidly. Audiences who watch television or go to movies will recognize Matt from his below-decks discovery in The Dark Knight and his steamy appearance as the original Captain Jack Harkness in Torchwood. (more…)

By austin, ago