Shakespeare’s Works Get a Hilarious Spin in Asheboro
Imagine watching all of Shakespeare’s plays condensed into a 90-minute whirlwind of comedy, performed by just three actors on a rural tennis court. This unique experience is available in Asheboro, where RhinoLeap Productions is presenting The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) until May 24.
The show is a comedic endeavor where a trio of actors attempts the bold task of summarizing the Bard’s entire body of work in a fast-paced, humorous style. Executive Director Jeremy Skidmore describes the performance as a blend of slapstick humor, pop culture nods, and modern language, all enhanced by an array of makeshift props.
“A lot of times they’re using props for things other than what they’re intended to be,” Skidmore explains. “So, if they’ve got a golf club, it’s not a golf club, it’s a sword. The last time we did it, the actors lost 10 pounds during the run because that’s how physical it is. So they start off with Romeo and Juliet, and even though they only spent twelve minutes condensing Romeo and Juliet, that’s still way too long.”
The actors employ inventive and humorous methods to acknowledge each of Shakespeare’s plays briefly. RhinoLeap Productions is also innovating in its approach to making theater more accessible to rural audiences.
In 2017, the company relocated its headquarters from the UNC School of the Arts in Winston-Salem to Asheboro, aiming to reach communities that have felt left out of traditional theater experiences. By performing in non-traditional spaces like a public tennis court, the troupe brings live theater closer to the community.
“If you want to sit inside the fence, there’s a ticket,” Skidmore notes. “If you want to watch from outside the fence, it’s free. And there are times we’ve drawn groups of kids—you see all their faces pressed up against the fence just watching. And the great day was there was this ice cream truck that went by, and all the kids completely ignored the ice cream truck and just stayed glued to watching the show that was happening, and that was a pretty gratifying moment.”
The production features seasoned performers Alex Bodine, Patrick Osteen, and Allen Tedder, who have appeared on Broadway and with Cirque de Soleil. The show continues until May 24 at the Championship Tennis Court in Asheboro’s Memorial Park.
For more information, visit RhinoLeap Productions.
