The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)

Prairie Players Civic Theatre is taking Shakespeare outside. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) is the first production to be performed in a pageant wagon on the theatre’s newly opened back patio.

“This show is all about summer vacation,” says Director Betsy Hippely. “You’ve got your backyard patio, your comfy lawn chair, your special cocktail concoction, sunset over the city, and a wacky 16th century vaudeville show to entertain you. What’s not to like?”

Performances will be at 160 South Seminary Street, Galesburg, on Fridays and Saturdays, July 13, 14, 20, and 21 beginning at 8 p.m. on the theatre’s back patio. The audience is asked to bring lawn chairs to the production. Performances will be moved indoors in case of inclement weather.

Performances on Sunday, July 15 and 22, will be at 2 p.m. in the theatre.

Hippely says that Shakespeare (abridged) is a “Nothing-is-sacred take on the Shakespearean canon” as four actors weave their way through all of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories, and tragedies (37 in all) in about 90 minutes.

The production is a challenging one for the four actors. “They’ve all had to develop, in addition to their basic actor-in-the-company role, nine to 12 other characters, many of whom have only one or two lines to build on,” says Hippely. “ And then there’s the physical comedy required of each role—voices, walks, tricks and bits—not to mention timing. Talk about layers!”

Actor Cameron Line says the biggest challenge is to do justice to the world’s most famous and influential plays while being funny. “Preparing for this show has involved studying iambic pentameter and watching Mel Brooks movies. It’s reverential and uproarious at the same time.”

In addition to Line, rounding out the cast of four are Michael Buebe, Luke Lawson, and Joey Lucero.

Hippely says that both the actors and crew have been on a steep learning curve with Prairie Players’ first outdoor venture at the theatre. There are a lot of distractions (weather, moving props and lights indoors and out nightly, street and train noise) that are unique to an outdoor venue.

Another unique element is the pageant wagon, which is being provided courtesy of Knox College. The wagon’s base is from a 6-by-10-foot grain wagon, with a large box on top that folds out into a 7-by-20-foot performance space. “The wagon is a joy,” says Hippely. “It affords a surprising amount of versatility for levels and entrances; it’s got a great rustic look, enhancing the freestyle mode of the show, and it gives us a unique venue that works as well in a park or on a city street as it does here in our own backyard.”

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) is made possible through the support by Blick Art Materials.

(Photo, left to right: Cameron Line, Michael Buebe, Joey Lucero. In front, Luke Lawson.)