William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (Abridged) NYC Reviews and Tickets
Member Reviews (53)
See it if you enjoy sophomoric antics AND WmShakes. Fun to hear quotes used/misused. Lots of in-jokes for WS nerds, and broad humor for older kids.
Don't see it if you want a coherent plot. Or you're easily confused (swift-moving) or need to hear ea word (too fast/loud). Front rows audience particptn. Read more
See it if bad puns, dreadful costumes and great silliness work for you. They joyously confuse hawks with handsaws and all sorts of other things
Don't see it if you have not seen or read some Shakespeare. The slapstick may sustain attention but the corruption of the Bard brings the belly laughs
See it if you like a very witty take on Shakespeare's plays all wrapped up in 2 hours. Three actors play all the roles with great ingenuity.
Don't see it if you do not like comedy, Shakespeare's plays or are offended by not taking Shakespeare's plays seriously. Read more
See it if you are familiar with the RSC's previous work & you're ready to let your guard down & enjoy some clever clowning at the expense of the Bard.
Don't see it if you're a Shakespeare purist, unable to laugh at a dissection & reassembly of his works with a fair mix of modern references & childish humor Read more
See it if you are a Shakespeare buff.
Don't see it if you fail to find broad humor much fun anymore. Read more
See it if You enjoy modern re-workings of Shakespeare. You enjoy physical comedy & truly terrible puns. You want fun & entertainment.
Don't see it if You have no familiarity w/Shakespeare. You prefer a traditional approach to Shakespeare. You dislike physical comedy & broad comedy.
See it if Very enjoyable, jokes come quickly. Some clever, some fall flat, but all in good fun. Amusing references. Will bring a smile to your face.
Don't see it if ...you don't like amusing, silly shows with lots of pop culture references. Read more
See it if you are not trying to entertain your children. Most of this is way above their heads unless they are Shakespeare scholars; much adult humor
Don't see it if you are not familiar with lots of Shakespeare's plays, you dislike puns, slapstick, corny humor & sight gags. Still, entertaining at times.
Critic Reviews (7)
"Martin, Tichenor, and Spencer are very, very funny; fearless, quick witted, masters of quick change and, most importantly, having a blast on stage, which means the audience is likely to have fun too...The most important thing to enjoying this show is not a knowledge of Shakespeare; rather it is to lower your brow and bring your silly...This is an absolute, resolute, hoot, of a bawdy comedy of errors...A few quibbles: it could use some trimming; some of the gags outlive their funny."
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"Those bad boys of abridgment, the Reduced Shakespeare Company, have struck again...This time their mixed up, verse-juggling, quick-change, three-person comic extravaganza proposes to be the premiere of William Shakespeare’s recently discovered first play...Clearly these performers are in their element...The Reduced Shakespeare Company has always been a hybrid of highbrow and low humor, and this show hits that sweet spot to appeal to all comers."
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"The comic juxtapositions, gags, and shameless puns come so quickly that you barely have time to groan at the last one, and every once in a while something actually makes you pause and think, like letting Macbeth’s witches double as Lear’s daughters or setting up pairings to prove that 'The Lion King' is not the only Disney film based on Shakespeare. This kind of Shakespearean mash-up may no longer be unique to the RSC but it is fun to be reminded that they do it best."
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"The Reduced Shakespeare Company continue to reign supreme as the undisputed masters at reimagining the Bard into hilarious entertainment...The verbal wit would appeal to any speaker of the English language. A dynamic and side-splittingly funny show based around the work of one of the funniest playwrights ever to set quill to paper...The three actors are exceptionally charismatic, able to win the audience immediately and create a fun and gripping atmosphere."
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"Three performers playing multiple parts across daft, quick fire scenes...The script cleverly weaves together multiple works, putting dialogue in different characters' mouths and touching on the most iconic moments...There is less of the hallmark audience interaction in 'Long Lost First Play' than in the company's other shows, which is a shame...Overall, though, this is a slickly executed, enjoyable comedy that is also a fitting and affectionate tribute to the Bard."
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"It’s a win-win proposition. It takes the familiar Reduced Shakespeare approach, and then some...As usual, there are enough references to satisfy any Bard savant, while sufficient of the content of the plays is included to tickle the wits of children. And the recipe is completed by enough slapstick and knockabout farce to keep a large audience happily entertained...The rambling plot holds up surprisingly well. All’s well that ends well, then? Almost certainly."
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"A loving, self-deprecating riff on Shakespeare’s complete canon, condensed into about 90 minutes and chock full of hilarious references...RSC clearly love and admire the Bard, and this admiration for him shines throughout the entire show. Martin, Spencer, and Tichenor have created an absolutely perfect Shakespeare tribute with something to please everyone, regardless of familiarity with the language. Everything about it is fun. I laughed until I cried. Several times."
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