Reduced Shakespeare Company in The Complete History of Comedy (abridged)

• Elliot Roberts
• 17 August 2014

This article is from 2014.

A playful and clever retelling of the birth and subsequent life of comedy from the Reduced Shakespeare Company

The Reduced Shakespeare Company are famous for their irreverent wit and quick-fire comedic stagecraft. To see them turn their efforts to a history of their own profession presents a treat in unexpected ways. Alongside countdown lists of history’s least funny people (hello, Adam Sandler) the company take the opportunity to give homage to their comedic influences.

From a superbly skilful remake of Abbot and Costello’s ‘Who’s on First?’ routine to a ukulele-plucked love letter to the comedic greats, the other RSC demonstrate both skills and passion aplenty. The performance has its share of less successful moments however; some jokes are lost and the energy of certain set pieces dips as they wear on. A sketch of a stand-up Abraham Lincoln falls particularly flat.

For the most part, there is an unmistakable joy in watching the company at work,

Pleasance Courtyard, 0131 556 6550, 31 Jul - 25 Aug (not 6, 13, 20), 1.05 pm, £12-£13 (£9-£10)