The Johnsonian

Issue date: 9/27/06 Section: Arts

Media Credit: Amanda Goldberg Sophomore theatre performance major David Fichter and junior theatre performance major Brian Jones rehearse for "The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)."

Take William Shakespeare's 37 plays, interweave 154 sonnets, add three actors and prepare to laugh when Winthrop theater students put on the first show of the season: "The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)."

David Fichter, a sophomore theatre performance major, Ricky Watson, a sophomore theatre education major and Brian Jones, a junior theatre performance major, are the only three actors in the entire production, but with the help of costumes and props they are able to pump out all of Shakespeare's plays in under two hours.

"It's slapstick humor," Fichter said. "It's just like the Three Stooges-Larry, Moe and Curly-replaced with Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet."

Stephen Seay, a senior theatre performance major and the director of the show, said that out of a $300 budget he has spent $250 on props alone.

"Most of the costumes are from earlier shows, but this one [show] needed a lot of extra props," Seay said.

The production itself consists of many different contemporary interpretations of Shakespeare's plays, including a rap for Othello, a ballet and even a football scene. The actors wear different colored tights, robes, skirts, wigs and jerseys.

"Brian is playing Juliet for us," Seay said. "He wears a pink skirt and this huge wig."

Jones, waking up from a nap in the Johnson dressing area, said, "I think I look nice. I think I am a beautiful girl. That's why Stephen had me do it [the scene] 16 times."

Beautiful indeed, there is much to enjoy about a man running around in circles dressed in a wig and hot pink skirt. Though the production has been a lot of fun to make, Watson said it was difficult finding a balance between making fun of the characters while at the same time portraying them well.

Although the obstacles of portrayal, costumes and props were difficult to overcome, the three stars made it through and the performance is on for opening night. The actor's are just cleaning up the little things.

"All we need is a bit of polish and an audience," Fichter said.

The cultural event opens in the Johnson Studio Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 27 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 1. All shows through Saturday are 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the matinee on Sunday is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Ticket prices vary according to the date. Wednesday and Thursday it is $5 with a Winthrop I.D. and $10 for the general public. Friday through Sunday tickets are $8 with a Winthrop I.D. and $15 for the general public.

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