I admit it. I went to see Fuck Shakespeare because of the title. It’s certainly going to draw a larger audience than ‘Orihime and Hikoboshi meet Shakespeare’s vixens’.

It’s a play within a play – very Shakespearean – about two young men who are putting together a play. As the writer writes they both slip into the play he’s writing.

The play within includes Orihime and Hikoboshi – characters from a Japanese legend, the witches from Macbeth, Aladin – no idea why he’s there, and Hermione and Ophelia – Shakespeare’s vixens. This is a large cast – Kevin Leask, James Aaron, Chris Vergara, Ariana Leask, Adrian Beattie, Kristen Zaza, Laura Harding, and Rebecca Lindner – and they work well together. It’s nice that the play is at Factory Theatre where there is a fairly large stage.

The costumes are lovely, particularly Orihime’s dress. The fabric is beautiful.

The play is quite funny but it deals with serious subjects. Friendship, love, women’s power, what we want from life and what we believe about life. An interesting piece from a first time playwright, Zachary Kornblum, and a new theatre company.

I didn’t feel the energy or connection that I need to feel to really like a play. I didn’t dislike it, I was kind of neutral.

Details:

Fuck Shakespeare is playing at Factory Theatre Mainspace (125 Bathurst St)

Performance times are:
July 07 07:00 PM
July 08 05:00 PM
July 10 11:00 PM
July 11 11:00 PM
July 12 02:15 PM
July 14 05:15 PM

All individual Fringe tickets are $10 ($5 for FringeKids) at the door (cash only) and go on sale one hour before showtime. 50% of tickets are available in advance and are $11 ($9 + $2 service charge), these can be purchased online at www.fringetoronto.com, by phone at 416-966-1062 ext. 1, or in person during the festival at the Festival Box Office in the parking lot behind Honest Ed’s (581 Bloor St W).

Value packs  are available if you plan to see at least 5 shows

Please note that there is absolutely no latecomer seating during the Toronto Fringe Festival.

Photo of the cast