ED2013 3/5 Reviews ED2013 Theatre Reviews

No Holds Bard (Royale Productions)

By | Published on Wednesday 14 August 2013

“What did you see, a one-man Hamlet?” says Gran each year when I return from the Fringe. Michael Hurst trumps Nan’s wildest imaginings with a one-man Hamlet featuring Othello, King Lear and Macbeth. An actor holds a gun to his head, then we’re whisked on a disorientating excursion into the recesses of his disturbed mind, occupied by the characters mentioned above. Bullying, abuse and torment ensues, comic relief is provided by a boorish, Glaswegian Macbeth who casually fries up breakfast whilst chatting to the neurotic Hamlet. An Olivier-style foaming-mouthed, dubiously accented Othello raises more than a few awkward titters. It’s dodgy ground that I’m not sure works, thankfully his appearances are brief. Tweak the borderline offensive Othello and this sweaty, schizophrenic, Shakespearian mash-up could become a classic.

Assembly Roxy, until 26 Aug (not 12,19), 12.20pm.
tw rating 3/5 | [Holly Sharp]

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