“A wacky, laugh-out-loud journey through the Bard’s 37 plays.”

– The Theatre Voice

(Abridged!) (Revised!) (Again!)

By Daniel Singer, Adam Long and Jess Winfield

Complete Hilarity!

William Shakespeare. While he is considered by some to be history’s most prolific playwright, many a high school student’s eyes have glazed over while studying his plays. Why? Because Shakespeare’s plays were meant to be seen, not read! And which of his plays is most worthy of being seen? Literary scholars could no doubt argue about this endlessly. If only there was a way to see them all at once. But wait — there is! Theatre on the Ridge is excited to present a staging of the hysterical play The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Revised) (Again).

Originally created by the Reduced Shakespeare Company founding members Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) involves hilariously shortened versions of all 33 of Shakespeare’s plays performed in creative ways by only a few actors. And it’s all done in less than 90 minutes! The result is a wild, comical atmosphere with delightful chaos and surprises, and even some audience participation thrown in for added fun.

Pulling off such a theatrical workout requires direction from a master of physical theatre, which is why Theatre on the Ridge is thrilled to welcome Andy Massingham back for his third season. Andy created and directed last season’s hit circus-themed show, The Living End: Or Madame Winifred’s Circus of Wonders. In addition to his two previous seasons with Theatre on the Ridge, Andy has built an impressive resume in performance, direction, and playwriting, having performed with some of the most prestigious theatrical companies in Canada, including the Stratford Festival, the National Arts Centre, Soulpepper, and Tarragon Theatre. He was won numerous awards, including the Dora Mavor Moore Award and Prix Rideau Award.

Andy is excited by collaboration, particularly when it comes to giving a new take on familiar and popular material, which puts Complete Works firmly in his wheelhouse. One of the elements of this play that truly excites Andy is its accessibility. As he puts it, “Whether you are a scholar or have never seen a Shakespeare play, everyone will have a hilarious evening. And what’s more, it’s a great chance to see Shakespeare in a whole new light.”

                                                                                                                                 – Paul Love

CAST