Tarpon Springs' Off Kilter Theatre takes on Hamlet in Schwasted Shakespeare. The basic idea is to take a Shakespearean tragedy — Hamlet — and add enough alcohol to turn it into a comedy. I know, genius, right?
I especially love how they take a four-hour play and try to condense it into one hour...because Hamlet's boring. I tried to watch one of the four-hour movie renditions before seeing the play, and I fell asleep 10 minutes in. So a part of me was actually dreading this performance. But Schwasted Shakespeare does what so many movie renditions of Hamlet have failed to do — they translate Shakespearean English into words that actually make sense today.
In Schwasted Shakespeare, Shakespearean English is combined with plain English, modern slang and utter nonsense to make a live version of Hamlet that's actually entertaining and funny. It's OK if you forgot what Hamlet was about. You don't really need to understand Shakespearean English either. You will still be entertained. Don't believe me? Just take a look at the photos from opening night.
Schwasted Shakespeare
The Attic, 1510 E 8th Ave, Tampa.
Tues. May 8, 8 p.m.; Weds. May 9, 8:30 p.m.; Thurs. May 10, 6 p.m.; and Sat. May 12, 7 p.m.
$10 (+ $3 festival support fee).
Get tickets at tampafringe.org, visit Fringe Central at Gaspar's Grotto, or
purchase tickets at The Attic.