York Theatre Royal – until 11 July 2026
Reviewed by Sal E Marino
5*****
If you’ve ever thought Shakespeare was intimidating, overly serious or simply not for you, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) is here to prove you spectacularly wrong. The Reduced Shakespeare Company’s iconic comedy, written by the immensely talented Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, transforms the Bard’s entire canon into a whirlwind of outrageous comedy, quick-fire wit and infectious fun. Under the brilliant direction of Adam Long, this production at York Theatre Royal is an absolute triumph from start to finish.
Performed by the extraordinary trio of Woogie Jung, Tom Pavey and Kiran Raywilliams, this is Shakespeare presented in a completely new light. Bursting onto the stage with boundless energy, impeccable comic timing and seemingly limitless enthusiasm, the three performers take on the impossible challenge of presenting all 37 plays and the sonnets in just over ninety minutes. The result is nothing short of theatrical magic.
There are no rules here and certainly no limits to the imagination. Shakespeare’s greatest works are hilariously reimagined through songs, poems, sketches, lightning-fast costume changes, improvised moments, audience participation and plenty of wonderfully absurd theatrical invention. Every scene brings another surprise, and just when you think they’ve reached peak silliness, the company somehow raises the stakes again.
Jung, Pavey and Raywilliams have truly set the bar high when it comes to delivering dynamic, intelligent and side-splittingly funny performances. Their chemistry is exceptional, feeding effortlessly off one another whilst maintaining the show’s relentless pace. The physical comedy is superb, the wordplay razor sharp, and every member of the audience is swept along by their infectious enthusiasm. Their willingness to embrace every ridiculous idea with complete commitment is what makes this production such a joy to watch.
The audience becomes as much a part of the performance as the cast themselves, creating the atmosphere of one giant celebration rather than a traditional theatre production. Whether you’re a lifelong Shakespeare enthusiast or someone encountering his work for the very first time, the show has something for everyone. The cleverness lies in the fact that beneath all the chaos and comedy, there remains a genuine affection and respect for Shakespeare’s extraordinary writing.
The show’s unforgettable finale, an utterly bonkers retelling of Hamlet, is undoubtedly one of its greatest highlights. Involving the audience in increasingly ridiculous ways, it somehow manages the impossible: making one of Shakespeare’s most complex tragedies not only hilarious but surprisingly enlightening. As daft as the concept sounds, you genuinely come away with a deeper appreciation and understanding of the play, all while laughing harder than you thought possible.
The production is brought to the stage by producers John Terry and Rachel Jermy for Theatre Chipping Norton, alongside Sarah Crompton-Howes, Joe Brown and Kat Lepik for Selladoor Worldwide, who have assembled a first-class creative team and cast that deliver entertainment of the highest calibre.
Fast-paced, fearless and gloriously chaotic, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) is a masterclass in comic theatre. It celebrates the genius of Shakespeare while never taking itself too seriously, reminding us that theatre should, above all else, be entertaining. It is zany, clever, brilliantly performed and packed with laugh-out-loud moments from beginning to end. Whether you’re a Shakespeare scholar or someone who’s never opened one of his plays, this production is guaranteed to leave you smiling.
Quite simply, this is one of the funniest nights at the theatre you’ll have all year. Don’t miss it.