University Professors at the Fringe Networking Event16 August, 2016
Free Non-ticketed Category: Events Group: Fringe University Venue: Summerhall Time: 10 am Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Suitability: U Fringe University believes that the Edinburgh Fringe makes an excellent classroom. Come meet and network with other university professors from around the world planning to, or already using, the Fringe for educational purposes. Theatre OCU and Fringe University present...Bad Shakespeare
5-10 August, 2016
Free Non-ticketed Category: Theater Group: Fringe University and Theatre OCU Venue: Greenside @ Infirmary Street Time: 10 am Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Suitability: U Nature versus nurture? Are villains born or bred? Can they ever find true redemption? Theater OCU explores Shakespeare's most villainous characters – Macbeth, Iago, Aaron, Tamora and Lady Macbeth – and asks the question: what is bad Shakespeare? Reviews:Broadway Baby 4 Star Review
by Fiona Russell on 10th August 2016Something of a misnomer, Bad Shakespeare does not reflect the quality of the acting or of the performance. Instead, it explores and illustrates different aspects of the playwright’s villains from a number of plays and a variety of angles, showcasing the critical and performative talent of the group from the BFA Acting company at Oklahoma City University, under the direction of D. Lance Marsh.
Unique and rather inventive, educational in nature, and very entertainingly illustrated Smartly accoutered in fantastically villainous period outfits, the group present an hour-long show that illustrates, through the medium of a lecture or verbal-essay with a twist, some of the greatest villains ever invented, delving into the complexities of these characters. The show is laid out in five parts, or ‘acts’, each of which examining a particular aspect before drawing to an unsettling conclusion. The concept is unique and rather inventive, educational in nature, and very entertainingly illustrated with a real clarity and sense of purpose throughout. For people with an existing knowledge of Shakespeare and with an interest in the academic study of the Bard, this show might be of interest. There are well-known villains, including Lady Macbeth and Iago, in addition to less household names, including Aaron the Moor and Tamora (Kally Duncan) from the gut-wrenching bloodbath of a play, Titus Andronicus, and the self-righteous Angelo (Franciscan Harms, Haileigh Tomlinson and Gage Rancich) from Measure for Measure. Some of the monologues presented were particularly blood chilling, with an intensity and commitment admirable in such young actors. Particularly outstanding performances came from Keziah Williamson, who had a remarkable stage presence as Macbeth and Tyra Bullock as Aaron, whose speech had the audience holding their breath at the calm yet intense and gripping delivery. Some of the speeches could have gone slightly further in enhancing the believability of the scenario, perhaps by using a little more physicality, but the majority of the performances were very strong and engaging, with clear character development and thought. Furthermore, the performers pointed out particular aspects to watch out for, and linked the sections in a mellifluous and entertaining way, maintaining audience attention throughout and providing some variety and light-relief to the subject matter. Bad Shakespeare is a fantastic way of whetting the critical faculties and engaging with the darker aspect of the world’s most performed playwright, with the help of an extremely talented group of students who handle the material very proficiently in a fresh and chillingly captivating manner. By Fiona Russell @fionaerussellIn addition to reviewing, performing and creating theatre at university, Fiona enjoys reading, languages, performing and discussing Shakespeare, classical music, skiing and feigning competency in the kitchen. British Theatre GuideReview by Catherine Lamm
Bad Shakespeare from Theatre OCU is another company analyzing one of the vast aspects of Shakespeare. An endless wealth of human behaviour, nothing more fun than actors divining for material culled from the canon on such as love, hate, marriage, war, friendship, death and, in this case, “bad” or evil. Several have gone down this path (not the least of which is Steven Berkoff, Shakespeare’s Villains). Evil is a delicious dramatic tool. And what fun; both for the actors and audience. OCU successfully offers most of the villains (and some who are not) in their own definitions; they break badness down into five acts (causes). The actors are able and fluid in performance; they offer their research in a very polished production; fast-paced, lively, entertaining. But, although well done and well researched, they present their characters as bad without the finesse and sympathy of the inclusion of the “why”. Shakespeare gives us plenty of opportunity to sympathize and empathize with Shylock, Richard III and Macbeth. In fact, most of the tragic figures are products of environment rather than just born bad. Performance Theatre Blog 2016Bad Shakespeare, Theatre OCU
Bad Shakespeare Presented in English Touring “Nature versus nurture? Are villains born or bred? Can they ever find true redemption? Theater OCU explores Shakespeare's most villainous characters - Macbeth, Iago, Aaron, Tamora and Lady Macbeth - and asks the question: what is bad Shakespeare?” --description from Fringe programme This exploration of Shakespeare's villains focused on, among others, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, Iago, Tamora and Aaron, and Angelo from Measure for Measure. Theatre OCU Written by the cast (students of Oklahoma City University's BFA acting course), and directed by D. Lance Marsh. Tour Dates and Locations: August 5-10, 2016 Greenside @ Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, as part of Edinburgh Festival Fringe August 26-27, 2016 Black Box Theatre, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States On Twitter: @TheatreOCU Selected Reviews: BroadwayBaby review (4 stars): "Something of a misnomer, 'Bad Shakespeare' does not reflect the quality of the acting or of the performance... 'Bad Shakespeare' is a fantastic way of whetting the critical faculties and engaging with the darker aspect of the world’s most performed playwright, with the help of an extremely talented group of students who handle the material very proficiently in a fresh and chillingly captivating manner." http://www.broadwaybaby.com/shows/bad-shakespeare/716691 British Theatre Guide review (3 stars): "although well done and well researched, they present their characters as bad without the finesse and sympathy of the inclusion of the “why”. Shakespeare gives us plenty of opportunity to sympathize and empathize with Shylock, Richard III and Macbeth." http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/bad-shakes-eare-greenside-13165 |
TheatreOCU's BAD SHAKESPEARE preparing for the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh!
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