The Reduced version of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare was much more entertaining then many renditions of “the Bard’s” shows that I have seen in the past. The Reduced Shakespeare Company began its 2001 American Tour by returning to Guilford this year to a full Dana Auditorium on Family Weekend. They are celebrating their 20th anniversary this season with two new members, Karl Anderson and Michael John Faulkner, and one of the writers, founders, and managing partners of the company, Reed Martin.

As promised, the team performed all 37 of Shakespeare’s works in 97 minutes. It was amazingly fast and amazingly funny. This was definitely a show for everyone. If you love Shakespeare, and know all the monologues they mock, you could appreciate the subtle humor differences. On the other hand, if you hate Shakespeare, or have only read a few plays, you could still enjoy the hand motions, slap-stick humor, and constant punny jokes.

Martin teased in an interview about the basis of the show. “Basically we cut out all the minor characters and unimportant scenes to get right to the sex and the killing, which is what people really want to see,” Martin said.

The company started as a Renaissance Faire act created by a group of high school friends from Northern California. Since I am a fan of Renaissance Faires, I could easily picture them in that setting: the classical mockery with a modern twist is perfect for reenactment type of events. In the introduction, they passed around the donation hat, a routine that still lingers in the act even though they are now playing to a much larger crowd who has paid for tickets.

Since the show was originally a sideshow, it seems to be adapted from that format. They stick with a minimum set and lighting effects but use oodles of amusing props. They have a smaller traveling tech crew as well. Costumes were great. They are simple throw over, quick changeable outfits combined with disheveled wigs. These matched perfectly with the 80’s-flair converse high tops and matching colored tights and striped socks in black, red, or blue. The color differences in each actor’s costume were just enough to be able to keep track easily of who was doing what, but also provide a humorous flamboyance to the actors.

Another aspect that still is reminiscent of the Renaissance Faire history of the show is including audience participation. It is a bit harder to grab people from the audience, but they still manage to involve the audience: running down in the crowd occasionally, picking out and teasing people in the audience, and even getting the entire crowd to do hand motions and shout out lines.

For example, I had to shout out as Ophelia’s feminist side, “Cut the crap Hamlet, my biological clock is ticking and I want babies now!” while sitting in the C Section on the left side of the auditorium. The actors are still very sociable and will gladly talk or sign signatures after the show.

The comedy in the show brought laughs of all sorts and worked on multiple layers. Anderson wore a Three Stooges tie in the introduction, which completely highlighted the attitude of slapstick comedy.

The second level was the slightly lewd humor and quick wit. You might have to pay attention to keep track and catch all the jokes, since it is a fast paced show. Many different ages could enjoy the comedy for both the more obvious jokes and the insinuated ones. The company included local Guilford humor about the football team, North Carolina politics, and even the Exotic Carwash. The show was a brilliant mix of quick wit, song, dance, interesting sock puppets, and even a bit of accordion music. Everything combined to create the constant laughs, sighs, and cheers.

Students seemed have a great time at the show, as Mae Kalwaic noted, “I liked how the audience kept clapping for two full minutes after the first act,” Kalwick said.

The finale followed with a standing ovation and several encores of even faster Hamlet. Since the play was released in print form, other theater groups have performed the scripted play, including some Guilford students, such as Benji Hebner.

“I was in [the show] for two years and I like to see it done well,” remarked Hebner, comparing his own experience with the performance of one of the original members. Guilford even has a personal connection with one of the main performers, Reed Martin, who went to Berkley with our own Jack Zerbe!

The company is larger than the three men that performed here at Guilford. It includes over 35 different talented performers (men and women), who have been a part of the company over the years. Currently, seven are touring in the U.S.

There is more to the company besides just Shakespeare. The writers have created four stage shows, three TV programs, and several radio pieces. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) and The Complete History of America (abridged) are the longest running comedies in London and are still preformed today.

The group has performed on over four continents. Martin explains, “Well we started in America but we’ve now performed the show in 13 countries. Including New Jersey.” They have played such prestigious venues such as the White House, Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center, and broken many box-office records.

If you’d like to read more about the Company, or chat with them on their message boards, check out http://www.reducedshakespeare.com/