By Jessica Dionne for Curtains Up (@maccajess)
Shakespeare. Just saying his name brings back memories of high school English classes where students would be called upon to read for a character and then be forced to explain what they just read but ended up just sitting there in complete silence not having understood a single word.
I’ll admit that even to get nervous about that but the theatre geek in me now has gotten passed it. To be quite honest I believe I have at least 5 copies of Hamlet within a 6 foot radius. To those that did (and might still) suffer from Shakespearean anxiety fear not: Playwright Hero’s latest play No One Like Hugh playing at Mainline Theatre doesn’t require you to be well-versed in Shakespearean English but rather in sexual puns and laughter.
Described as an ‘original farce inspired by Shakespeare’s comedies’, No One Like Hugh brings together an eclectic group of characters whose plots intertwine to create an interesting parody. Gender is thrown out the window and few characters are really who they appear to be.
Set in an ‘alternate medieval England’ ruled by an eccentric King, the audience follows the story of Hugh, a noble craftsman and his pursuit of Princess Lavender. His plans are thwarted when his identical twin brother – also named Hugh – plans to steal his bride and the throne. Running parallel to this plot are the stories of a Friar with a secret, a lady of the house with an identity crisis, a confused manservant, and an incredibly perceptive fool.
The comedy, although sometimes bordering the absurdly immature (especially with the constant blunt sexual references), is saved by some clever turns of phrases that kept the audience laughing and entertained. There were however, a few unexplained choices and modern references that felt slightly out of place – some which took away from the piece, but others that could simply be shrugged off as artistic choices.
Perhaps one of the greatest highlights of the play was the character of the Fool (a puppet mastered by Morgan Nerenberg) – his comedic timing and insightfulness above all the other characters was truly wonderful – it was impossible to do other than laugh with him at the other characters.
Although the play left too many stones unturned for my liking, praise must be given to playwrights Jimmy Karamanis, Travis Martin and Alexander Smith of Playwright Hero.
No One Like Hugh, Nov. 26-29
Playwright Hero at MainLine Theatre- 5 shows only
3997 Saint-Laurent
Wednesday to Saturday at 8:00 pm, with a second show on Saturday at 10:00pm
