Irreverent hardly sums up the romp an audience can expect from “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).” The play presents Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets and all 37 of his plays in a minuscule 90 minutes — not to mention, with
Irreverent hardly sums up the romp an audience can expect from “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).” The play presents Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets and all 37 of his plays in a minuscule 90 minutes — not to mention, with just three cast members.
“This is what would have happened if Shakespeare met ‘The Three Stooges,’” said actor Ross Martineau. “We do ‘Othello’ in rap, and ‘Titus Andronicus’ is a cooking show.”
“Titus Andronicus” is one play you don’t often see performed. “It’s very bloody,” said Martineau. “So it lends itself to a cooking show,” he added cheerily.
“Not only do we do ‘Hamlet,’” said fellow player Mike Scarbo, “But we do it fast — and then really really fast. And then,” he said with a pregnant pause, “We do it backward — we say all the words backward.”
Some may remember the play from last year. The small venue that seats only 40 was a sellout nightly. “We had to add six more shows last time,” said Martineau. “This time we’re scheduling 12 shows.”
It was while Martineau was in the midst of producing “Big River” that he decided to give Shakespeare another go. “When I was at the box office people kept asking me to do it again.”
After brief consideration he decided, “It’s like seeing ‘The Wizard of O’z every year. Why not?”
“If this were not nonprofit, we would promise to give you your money back if this is not the funniest thing you’ve ever seen,” he said.
“You don’t have to like Shakespeare. You don’t have to know Shakespeare. In fact, people who don’t like Shakespeare love it,” Martineau said.
“You don’t have to know the story,” added Scarbo. “We’ll tell you everything.”
“It’s a great office night,” added stage manager Jennifer Downs. “Last year Kapa‘a Rotary bought out a night. It’s good to see more than once though, so you can catch it all,” she said.
Tim Evans, Martineau, Downs and Scarbo only met last year when Martineau put out the casting call for the play.
First-timer Evans directed the show last time, but this time he’s on-stage getting dirty.
Scarbo and Martineau are the veterans. Martineau said when the two came together for the show they couldn’t believe how much they remembered. “We knew 80 percent — it’s slap-stick, physical comedy,” Martineau said. “We have it in our bodies.”
Want to go?
Twelve performances: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays: Jan. 25 n March 1
KAPA Rehearsal Space and Theatre
4411 Kikowaena Road, Puhi
Adults $18, Student/Seniors $15
Pay at door, but call to reserve, 246-8985
Meet the lunatics
Tim Evans: Before moving to Kaua‘i from Seattle, Evans earned a theatre degree from Cornish College of the Arts. His training includes acting, directing and scenic design. Evans was the co-director of the Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre summer production of “Seussical.” He can be seen in the upcoming feature film, “Tropic Thunder.”
Ross Martineau: Martineau has been seen by Kaua‘i audiences as Lumiere in “Beauty and the Beast,” Bellamy in “The Fantasticks” and is psyched to be the beauty among the beasts in TCWOWS(A). Theatre is good. Ross likes people who support the theatre — therefore, Ross likes you.
Mike Scarbo: Scarbo’s theatrical resume spans the oceans. He recently appeared in W.I.T.’s production of “Cabaret.” Prior to that he “starred” as Ruffian No. 3 in a production of “Julius Caesar” in Portland, Ore. He had one line.
Jennifer Downs: Jennifer Downs grew up on Kaua‘i and received her BFA in Acting from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. She moved back to the island a year and a half ago, and runs the summer program for Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre. When she is not involved in theatre she is the marketing director at Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens in Kilauea.
