REVIEWS REVIEWS
The energetic show starts with a bang as ninety books fall from the ceiling and the pace never lets up. Ninety of the greatest books are covered in just ninety minutes; you can learn a few things on the way but blink and you’ve missed one.
All the Great Books (abridged) is presented by The Reduced Shakespeare Company, written and directed by Reed Martin and Austin Titchenor. All books are performed by a cast of three to the audience who take on the role of students cramming for a mid term exam.
All three cast members used topical wisecracks alongside a perfected script. Coach, played by Brian Jay Flaherty, tries to keep everyone in line but fails miserably. The professor (Tim Beckmann) begins as a straight man and does a fantastic poem recital, but soon starts to let his hair down, literally. Student Teacher (Matt Blair) plays the role with an infectious sense of fun and energy levels that were exhausting to watch.
The three actors are evidently enjoying themselves throughout the performance with speedy costume changes and perpetual gags. In all it delivers an exhilarating and laugh out loud night out. © SG
“All the Great Books” is in Sheffield on the 26th April to 1st May, 2004 and then continues a nationwide tour.
