No Mean Company

Mmmbeth & Hamlette

by Allison Williams

Friday 12 - Saturday 13 May, 2006

Shakespeare? More like Shake-spoof!

Mmmbeth

"Is this a donut I see before me?"

In hilarious gender-bending take on the Scottish play everything goes wrong. The witches take over the storytelling, Queen Duncan would rather open a donut franchise than die, Lady M's a bloodthirsty June Cleaver, and the murderers are preoccupied with creating a commercial for their services.

Hamlette

Imagine if you will that "Hamlet" was not "Hamlet" at all, but "Hamlette" - a woman!

This play is a twisty-turny interpretation of the classic Danish tale. Why spend four hours telling the story when five actors can get the job done in thirty minutes?

Elsinore has never been this funny!

Review

Cumbernauld News - Wednesday 17th May

Shakespeare double-bill raises laughter

NO Mean Company were in action once again at the weekend with a double-bill of Shakespeare parodies written by Allison Williams.

Mmmbeth and Hamlette were quick-fire situation comedies loosely based on the originals and with a smattering of original dialogue thrown in for comic effect and semi-authenticity, although often the plays quoted were not the ones being performed!

NMC showed true "the show must go on" determination with this show, having to announce that due to unforeseen circumstances certain roles would be read in by other members of the company. Despite such adversity, the amateur group had the audience rocking with laughter at the antics of Allison Williams' characters, who generally refused to behave according to Shakespeare's script.

Much of the comedy comes from gender reversal, with characters such as Queen Duncan (Karen Pender) and the eponymous Hamlette (Anne Gray), who constantly protests her femininity. Much quickfire silliness did ensue - some of it involving a rubber chicken - and the small audience fairly rocked with laughter at times.

The Play was directed by Rachel McCormick with Ann MacEwan handling stage management duties.

By Neil McGrory

With thanks

Once again No Mean Co would like to thank everyone who helped to make this production possible. With special thanks to all our friends in the Cumbernauld Theatre for their continued support.