EDINBURGH FRINGE 2011: Shakespeare for Breakfast

THEATRE REVIEW: SHAKESPEARE FOR BREAKFAST: THE COLLEGE YEARS (C Theatre), Edinburgh Fringe 2011

“Simply Macbeth, better than all the rest” sings the schoolboy king, gently strumming a guitar. Not quite the best, but it is pretty good. In its twentieth year at the Fringe, this cult show has cannily reworked the Bard’s tragedy into a short, lively romp with sock-puppets, witty songs, and audience participation. The school setting works well: Macbeth becomes an artistically sensitive musician with a convincingly ambitious cheerleader Lady, while the choice of a stroppy pair of fortune-telling Goths to play the witches is truly inspired. Although after a while the constant iPhone jokes become irritating, this show is a good laugh for older kids and adults, with moments of genuine hilarity. A refreshingly comical take on an old favourite.

Shakespeare for Breakfast runs until Aug 29th (not 16th Aug) at C Theatre, Edinburgh. For more information visit the Fringe website.

Written for ThreeWeeks.