MB Players Proudly Presents...



“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)”

M.B. Players will perform “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” over two weekends opening June 20th in the Metlox Plaza. This free, open air event will be only the third theatrical production ever staged at the Metlox Center in Manhattan Beach.

The Story

“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)”, also known as “The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)” is a parody of the plays written by William Shakespeare with all of them being performed (in shortened form) by only three actors. The actors use their real names and play themselves in the show and the “fourth wall” becomes essentially nonexistent with the actors speaking directly to the audience during much of the play. Some scenes also involve audience participation. Improvisation plays a key role and it is common for the actors to make references to pop culture as well as local/topical people and places.

The play was first performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1987 and played for many years at the Criterion Theatre in London. It is notable for holding the (self-proclaimed) world record for the shortest-ever performance of Hamlet, clocking in at 43 seconds.

Director's Note

For anyone who loves Shakespeare, this is the show for you! For anyone who hates Shakespeare, this is the show for you! It mentions every Shakespeare play ever written (lovers) and sends up all of them (haters). It is completely wacky (haters) but uses some real Shakespearean text (lovers). In other words, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) is a show for everyone. So grab a seat, sit down and prepare for a few good laughs! I guarantee you will get your money’s worth…

Huzzah!

JM






Produced by M.B.Players

M.B. Players is wholly funded by the generosity and support of the community… its businesses, its patrons and its residents and will continue to survive only with your help. Help support our dream by emailing us at: info@mbplayers.org to find out how you can donate or be a part of M.B. Players.

About M.B. Players

M.B. Players, now in its third year, is a local, grassroots, non-profit theatre company whose mission is to provide exceptional, professional-quality theatre productions and theatre education to the South Bay community.

Our charter members, many of whom reside locally in the South Bay, have directed, managed, choreographed, produced and/or performed in such successful and critically acclaimed local Southern California shows as “South Pacific”, “Sound of Music”, “Camelot”, “Pirates of Penzance”, “Joseph”, “The Odd Couple”, “The Crucible”, “Of Mice and Men”, “The Man Who Came to Dinner” and “To Kill A Mockingbird”.

This team has been the driving force, both on-stage and behind the scenes, for M.B. Players’ 2006 premier production of “The Fantasticks” as well as last year’s production of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” which both played to “standing room only” audiences throughout their runs.

 
© 2008 Manhattan Beach Players 501(c). All rights reserved.