Alternative RSC notch up the speed in Leamington show

But if you went to see it, you’d have a great time, promise the Reduced Shakespeare Company, who are bringing their revised version of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) to the Spa Centre in Leamington, as part of the Leamington Comedy Festival, next month.

The show, written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield and performed by Matt Rippy, Gary Fannin, Matthew Pearson and Simon Cole, ran for nine years on London’s West End and is described by the team as “a high-speed roller-coaster type condensation of all of Shakespeare’s plays”.

It may seem like deliberate cheek to call themselves the ‘RSC’ - the same initials as another well-known Shakespeare company - but this RSC’s performer and director Matt Rippy insists that it’s pure coincidence.

He told the Courier: “We embrace the Royal Shakespeare Company. Yes, they approach it differently, with reverence and meticulous attention to the text. But we are on the other end of the spectrum. Someone also needs to remind the masses that you don’t need to be afraid of Shakespeare.”

So how do they manage to cram all the plays in so little time? “Through the clever art of cheating,” says Matt. “‘Streatery’ - strategic cheating.

“We cut all the boring stuff out and get straight to the sex and violence, which is all people want to see anyway.

“People say we are poking fun at Shakespeare, but it’s not so much poking fun as pulling the pigtails of the girl we fancy. We want to urge our audience to not be afraid of Shakespeare. We want to have some fun with him because we love him.”

The performance is on October 15 at 7.30pm. Tickets £18. Call 334418 or visit www.royalspacentreandtownhall.co.uk