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Characters: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

It would be impossible to list and describe all the characters in *The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).*Afterall, three actors portray the characters in all thirty-seven of Shakespeare’s plays in about ninety minutes!

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) was first performed by the authors (Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Borgeson) on June 19, 1987. The three performers used their own first names. They advise actors in all subsequent performances to substitute their own names for “Adam,” “Jess,” and “Daniel.”

The script further specifies which Shakespeare character each actor is portraying, but there are far too many to list! Knowledge about Shakespeare’s works is helpful, but not necessary. All that’s really necessary is “a willing suspension of disbelief” and the ability to not take Shakespeare too seriously, as you laugh at him, his characters, the actors, and (sometimes) yourself.

These “plays within a play” hearken to Shakespeare’s own style, sometimes referred to as metatheatricalism, meaning “going beyond theatricality.” This means that unlike most modern plays, the actors interact with the audience throughout the play.

While each performance is presented as an “unprecedented” event and contains moments of improvisation, each actor is, in fact, well rehearsed, tied to a script, and portraying a character within the arc of the story being told.

Utah Shakespeare Festival
Welcome to the Utah Shakespeare Festival. We hope this Study Guide is helpful. As a note, it is for general knowledge and may not be specifically in reference to our production(s). While you’re here you may want to explore the Festival a bit further. You can learn about this Tony Award-winning theatre company, our plays, and so much more by visiting our home page.

What's On

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The Taming of the Shrew

June 19 - September 7, 2024

Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre

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Silent Sky

July 12 - October 5, 2024

Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre

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Much Ado About Nothing

June 21 - October 5, 2024

Randall L. Jones Theatre

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The Winter's Tale

June 18 - September 6, 2024

Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre

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Henry VIII

June 17 - September 5, 2024

Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre

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RADA 2024 Production

July 30-August 3, 2024

Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre

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The Mountaintop

July 13 - October 5, 2024

Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre

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The 39 Steps

June 22 - October 5, 2024

Randall L. Jones Theatre

© Utah Shakespeare Festival 2024 www.bard.org Cedar City, Utah