Bad Shakespeare showcases a revolving door of Shakespearean villains in an accessible and entertaining performance.
The arrangement from Theatre OCU strikes a line between analysis and entertainment in a way that makes the 45 minutes fly by. A selection of monologues from a variety of Shakespeare’s villains seeks to answer why people are evil, if they can earn forgiveness, and (perhaps most importantly) what makes their villainy so compelling to watch.
The stark contrast between Shakespearean English in the monologues and Gen Z slang-fuelled asides in between makes for a charmingly self-deprecating show, with the performers not afraid to poke fun at their own characters and ideas.
The monologues themselves are well-selected, grouped together to examine a wide variety of evil characters, ranging from 2D baddies to the more complex. Bad Shakespeare delves deep into the playwright’s catalogue, not just focusing on recognisable names like Iago and Macbeth but also deeper cuts like Titus Andronicus’ Aaron.
That said, you don’t need to be a Shakespeare fan to understand the references. When the cast are all on stage at once at the beginning and end, it seems crowded, but the large number of cast members pays off, with enough people included to be able to enter before and after monologues are performed to add context.
There are extra nods added in to Bad Shakespeare that will pay off for those who do know the works well, with mannerisms and in-jokes that refer to the original plays. Ultimately though, the show is very accessible and an excellent way to learn more about some of Shakespeare’s most famous characters – and dig into the whys and wherefores of some lesser-known names as well.
For bardolators, Bad Shakespeare is a must. If you’ve never watched Shakespeare before, this is an excellent gateway into understanding more of the bard’s work – and having a great time while doing it.
