OUR tale concerns the so-called “Rude Mechanicals” from William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Nick Bottom the weaver, Snug the joiner, Robin Starveling the tailor, Tom Snout the tinker, Francis Flute the bellows-mender and Peter Quince the carpenter.
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All six set aside their day jobs when they gather to rehearse the most lamentable comedy and most cruel death of Pyramus and Thisbe.
They have been invited to take part in an evening of entertainment for the newly married duke of Athens – the pressure is on.
When self-styled leading man and matinée idol Nick Bottom disappears into the forest thanks to some uninvited fairy magic, the Mechanicals reach breaking point.
They manage to find a replacement for Bottom, but that creates more problems than it solves. Will Bottom return in time for the wedding celebrations?
Will they know their lines?
And what are those rubber chickens for?
All will be revealed.
The result is a riotously funny mix of Shakespearean verse, songs and dance that is lewd, rude and ingenious.
Clowning, vaudeville, slapstick, farce, stand-up comedy and some hilarious puppetry come together to create an unhinged feast of wit and profanity.
First directed by Geoffrey Rush in 1987, The Popular Mechanicals holds a special place in the Australian comedic canon.
This revival from State Theatre Company of South Australia, directed by former STC Resident Director Sarah Giles, includes the very fine comic talents of Julie Forsyth (Romeo & Juliet) and Amber McMahon (School Dance).
This is a show that will lift the roof in the silliest ways imaginable.
****
Recommended for ages 13 and older, The Popular Mechanicals runs for 1hr 35mins (no interval) and contains some sexual references.
Tickets can be booked online at www.civictheatre.com.au or directly from the theatre by phoning 6926 9688.
The show is at the Civic Theatre on Tuesday, October 24 at 7.30pm and tickets start from $15.