What appears to be an impossible feat is executed flawlessly in this hidden gem performed by Three Witty Fools.
Barnaby, Sam and Henry burst onto the stage with boundless energy, neon tutus and hilarious contemporary quips in their take of The Complete Works that catapults these classic plays into a modern era. Starting strong with a 12-minute rendition of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays, Romeo and Juliet, the set-up is clear: they simply must make haste. And make haste they do! Presenting the histories as a heated American Football match, Titus Andronicus as a cooking show and completing the entirety of Hamlet in a record breaking 47 seconds, these three jesters embody brevity being the soul of wit, enthralling and entrancing the audience into their organised chaos.
Comedic timing is everything, and in this show, it lands every time, with current gags executed to amuse and delight. Though some of the plays were commented on slightly too quickly, such as Othello, it is understandable due to their time constraints, which is the heart of the comics’ endeavour.
One may suppose that executing any complex play at great speed makes for a lack of cohesion, but though it is madness, there is method in it. This ensemble manages to grasp the fundamentals instantly, being able to convert a simple interaction into an entire play with great ease.
Hidden talent, such as these three, is the epitome of what the Fringe aims to showcase and is an absolute must for any Shakespeare fan. Watch closely for where these talented three end up in the future, for after a success like this, they ought to make the world their stage.
Image provided by theSpace and Three Witty Fools.