Shakespeare in 97 Minutes: OSLT Tackles the Bard with Comedy and Speed
OSLT’s February production condenses Shakespeare into 97 minutes of comedy, with a small cast and a big dose of irreverence.
The Owen Sound Little Theatre is staging a fast-paced comedic take on the works of William Shakespeare, condensing the playwright’s entire catalogue into a single 97-minute performance.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] will be performed at the Roxy Theatre from February 20–22 and 26–28. The show features just three actors covering all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays through physical comedy, parody, and improvisation.
The production is directed by Michael Johnston, who is making his directorial debut with OSLT. He describes the show as an accessible introduction to Shakespeare, designed to appeal to audiences regardless of their familiarity with the material.
The script, originally developed by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield, is known for its satirical approach to both Shakespeare’s tragedies and comedies. The performance includes rapid-fire costume changes, slapstick humor, and references that reward both newcomers and long-time fans of Shakespeare’s work.
The play’s structure allows for a high degree of energy and spontaneity, with opportunities for audience interaction and unscripted moments. While the tone is irreverent, the script maintains a close relationship with the source material, relying on it for both structure and humor.
Performance dates and times:
February 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 at 7:30 p.m.
February 22 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are available through the Roxy Theatre website at roxytheatre.ca or by calling 519-371-2833.
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