What I liked
The Titus Andronicus puppet show is a highlight, as are all the moments where the show within a show threatens to unravel due to interpersonal cast conflicts or dance breaks the players can’t help but resist. A grand majority of the audience participation moments make for great shenanigans that liven up some of Shakespeare’s less popular tragedies. The overall energy is infectious, and we had an audience that was very much game to go along for the ride. The “actors” within the show deserve formal commendation for juggling so many props, characters, and cues with remarkable poise.
What I didn't like
There are overt hints at underlying tension amongst the “players” – both our narrators and the actors/“murder props.” It’d be great if there was a larger meta narrative that could give us more insight into who these characters are outside the show within a show. The internal conflicts we do see bubble over already help elevate the comedy in some cases, such as when the female narrator does her best to distract the audience and trigger an unplanned intermission as the rest of the company sets up the Titus Andronicus puppet show.
My overall impression
What if Drunk Shakespeare and The Play That Goes Wrong had a fringe theater baby? This ensemble farce and tribute to Shakespeare’s oft-labyrinthine plotting is a lot of fun. The jokes fly fast and furious and hit more than they miss. The cast has an excellent camaraderie that keeps things moving and responds well to unexpected turns, which are inevitable when a production requires this much audience participation. Wetter than one would expect!
