The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

The Complete Works is the brainchild of the Reduced Shakespeare Company, an American touring company that took up near-permanent residency at London’s West End for nearly 10 years from 1996. And if ‘Anarchy in the UK’ is your comedy genre of choice, you will enjoy watching as three talented actors whiz through all of Shakespeare’s 37 plays in just under 2 hours. Directed by someone who knows a thing or two about comic timing, Brisbane-born Darren Gilshenan (A Moody Christmas, Colin From Accounts,) this version allows for some fresh ad-libbing thanks to the improvisation talents of Amy Ingram, (I’m still chuckling at her performance in Fourteen), Stephen Hirst (A Very Naughty Christmas, Merrily We Roll Along) and Tomas Pocilujko, (Antony and Cleopatra, Plied and Prejudice) who simply command their pared-back medieval stage (designed to improve on the original by Penny Challen). The addition of a female cast member (the original trio were all men) adds to this production’s mirth. 

The show is a fast-paced mash-up that sticks to the original script, with added extras that will bring a smile – Amy’s deadpan introduction to the ‘trigger warnings’ present in Shakespeare’s plays is a classic in itself. Fans of the bard will recognise subtle nods to other famous interpreters in characters’ voices and movement – helped by the fact that Stephen could easily impersonate Kenneth Branagh, and Tomas channels the energy of several young Shakespearean fools while proving that ‘Young Ones’ comedy anarchy is alive, albeit unwell in parts. The format focuses on the faves and is bookended by Romeo and Juliet, which receives a long introduction to get the audience in the mood, and Hamlet, which revs up the notch to mega-Shakespeare. The Bard often wrote whole scenes to showcase the favourite comic actor of his day, and that’s what the troupe does here – to the max – cashing in openly on the fact that they know everything will be funnier after a few interval drinks. In between are some rather clever ways to cover all the plays – no spoilers: it’s better to discover these yourself – and some fun pop culture references added by this talented troupe. There’s fun with the sort of theatre-in-education format, with involvement by ‘Bob’ the lighting operator (thanks to lighting design by Declan O’Neill) and some very funny sound effects added by sound designer/composer Brady Watkins. Penny Challen also spices up the costumes in this multi-character show.  

Even though it was already 10 years old when it started in London, The Complete Works was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 1997 and became the West End’s longest-running comedy production. The secret to that longevity was possibly the ready tourist market in Piccadilly. And in the last 30 years, we’ve seen so much irreverence aimed at Shakespeare that a Comedy Store style send-up is almost irrelevant. But, as Robert Frost pointed out, “The ear is the only true writer and the only true reader”. And it is interesting to hear this proven true in scenes where the rhyme and rhythm of Shakespeare’s language is so effective in moving the spirit – even when effectively being sent up. “I have of late lost all my mirth” cuts through, even in this whirlwind show. So, thanks to this production for bringing this cast together – I’d gladly watch all three performers in anything, and would love to see them together in one of Shakespeare’s 37 plays one day. After all, they already know (most) of the lines!

Find out more: https://www.qpac.com.au/whats-on/2025/the-complete-works-of-william-shakespeare-abridged

Beth Keehn

Photographer: Morgan Roberts