What I liked
The comedic timing and characterization of this actor rises beyond any other solo artist I saw at the Fringe. My favorite line was during the Henry VIII section, when she argued that he would have made good use of a dating app in which he could “swipe left rather than slash right!” This actor truly is a great talent.
What I didn't like
I would have loved even more of the Shakespearean interjections, especially during the history portion of the piece. However, she brilliantly brought Shakespeare back at the end with a riveting rendition of the “To be or not to be” monologue from Hamlet which tied into her story of “worth” and “right.” This show should be required theatre for young actors. Outstanding!
My overall impression
This piece is a brilliant amalgamation of Shakespeare and contemporary entertainment, performed by a very talented comedic actress whose transitions between the two genres are seamlessly hilarious. The jokes in this show aren’t just funny; they succeed at triggering the types of “belly laughs” usually associated with stand-up comedy. The dramatic moments in the show do not feel contrived; they are so creatively woven into the script that we don’t see them coming, making them more powerful to experience. It was a history lesson, as well as a lesson in life, and makes use of the poetry of Shakespeare in a most unique and witty way.
