Customer Reviews

The Reduced Shakespeare Company

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We saw this years ago and has become a cult classic in our house. You don't have to know Shakespeare but it definately makes some of the jokes funnier!

I saw this years ago at The Criterion theatre in London, and thought it was good enough to buy the online version. As is the case with many live performances, I think especially with comedy, it loses a little something when brought to the small screen. without a theatre full of people to laugh along with, it just doesn't seem quite as funny. That is not to say it isn't worthwhile, thus the 4 stars I gave it. Those who know a little about Shakespeare will probably find it funnier than those who do not. They do spend a lot of time on the better known plays: Romeo and Juliet, MacBeth, and Hamlet, so most viewers will know at least some of the material. They occasionally go into madcap, slapstick type moments, which will probably be funny to about anyone, but they also go painfully close to being silly at times. I felt the rendition of Hamlet was a bit long, and the audience participation is better if you are in the live audience. On balance, though, compared to a lot of the absolute drivel in theatres these days, this is probably worth the expense of viewing. I think it might be especially good on a really big screen TV!

If you've never heard of the Reduced Shakespeare Company - you are missing out.

While extremely humorous and at times crude, the show these guys put on is actually highly intellectual...though you'd never know it. I recommend it to everyone, for every occasion.

With even the slightest knowledge of Shakespeare's works and a healthy sense of humor, this will be a win for you. I highly recommend purchasing their DVD, don't bother renting it, you'll watch it many times over. Promise.