A rounded, middle-aged Rodger Barton frolics around the stage painting pictures of Elizabethan London, dripping with sweaty enthusiasm and spitting with passion for it. The escaping droplets, as well as the shaky mockney accent are initially distracting, but not for long. This play sees the seasoned Shakespearean actor engagingly demonstrate the context in which Bill’s masterpieces were written, referencing familiar themes, plots and characters. Dedicated to making The Bard accessible to high school students with his company “Shakespeare Out Loud,” this sketch/lecture combo is certainly the most entertaining background reading I’ve ever done.

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