Breaking Bard

Seismic Shift Productions—Tom Hendry Warehouse

Shakespeare wonks will tell you that his great tragedies have these themes running throughout: love, ambition, madness, revenge, jealousy, and betrayal. The Spontaneous Shakespeare Company use these motifs plus two suggestions from the audience, and craft an hour-long tragedy that the Bard would have a good snicker at. The cast of five also deftly employ the recognizable tropes – soliloquies, asides, comic relief, and vaguely humorous character names (Malaria? Polio?) – that prove that Shakespeare’s tragedies can be funny. (Maybe funnier than his comedies, but I digress.) For fans of the Bard, this is a faithful homage that will have them laughing in the aisles. Well worth the ticket price.

Karl Eckstrand

Breaking Bard

Seismic Shift Productions—Tom Hendry Warehouse

I was ne’r a Shakespeare (or any corky literature) fan and English was one of mine worst subjects ‘i high place of learning. I was almost certain I wasn’t going to thus discover yet I came aroint thinking ’twere one of mine favourites this year! I certain the “improv” part wasn’t as random as a true improv play, yet it doesn’t take aroint from the fun or spontaneity. The play ends ‘i true Shakespearean tragic form, leaving me laughing from the depths of mine bowels.

Ray Yuen