The region’s festival audiences are set to be reduced to tears of laughter when the Reduced Shakespeare Company brings its highly-acclaimed Complete History of Comedy (abridged) to stages in Dumfries and Stranraer.
They’ve skewered history, the Bible and the world’s most celebrated playwright, now this much-sought-after three-man comic troupe tackles the subject it was born to reduce.
The Reduced Shakespeare Company is a three-man comedy troupe that takes long, serious subjects and reduces them to short, sharp comedies.
Since 1981, ‘The Bad Boys of Abridgement’ have created nine stage shows, two television specials, several failed TV pilots and numerous radio pieces – all of which have been performed, seen, heard and translated into Klingon the world over.
The company’s first three shows, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), The Complete History of America (abridged) and The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) enjoyed a nine-year run at the Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly Circus. Not only were they London’s longest-running comedies, but at one point the Reduced Shakespeare Company had more shows running in the West End than Andrew Lloyd Webber. Some of them were funnier too.
The company were last seen on a four month tour of the UK and Ireland with The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) at the start of 2014. Before that a whirlwind eight month tour of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) played to packed houses throughout the UK and London’s West End throughout 2013. Prior to this the “other RSC” were wowing the UK with their highly successful Complete World of Sports (abridged), which toured the country before completing a season in London’s West End during the 2012 Olympics.
“THE REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY ARE BACK, DOING WHAT THEY DO BEST.” What’s On Stage (2014)
“THE TRIO DELIVER 70 MINUTES FILLED WITH LAUGHTER TO A DELIGHTED AUDIENCE.” British Theatre Guide (2014)
If you’re up for a good laugh, don’t miss the shows:
SUNDAY, 31 MAY, 7.30pm. The Ryan Centre, Stranraer DG9 7AP
SATURDAY, 30 MAY, 7.30pm. Easterbrook Hall, The Crichton, Bankend Road, Dumfries, DG1 4TA
Tickets from the Midsteeple Box Office, Dumfries: 01387 253383
To find out more of what’s on during the festival, visit: www.dgartsfestival.org.uk
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