RSC to Return to Folger Theatre with WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S LONG LOST FIRST PLAY (ABRIDGED)

The wonderfully inventive and wildly hilarious Reduced Shakespeare Company® (RSC) returns to Folger Theatre for the eagerly anticipated world premiere of William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (abridged). The RSC will bring their signature style (dubbed "intellectual vaudeville" by The New York Times) of witty wordplay and physical finesse to the Folger for a limited engagement from April 21 through May 8, 2016. William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (abridged), stars RSC members Reed Martin, Teddy Spencer, and Austin Tichenor. The play is written and directed by Mr. Martin and Mr. Tichenor, co-directors of RSC. Tickets are available online at www.folger.edu/theatre or by calling the Folger Box Office at (202) 544-7077.

An ancient manuscript discovered in a treasure-filled parking lot in Leicester, England, proves to be the holy grail of the literary world-the long-lost first play written and then abandoned by none other than the young William Shakespeare. However, because the script is one hundred hours long, the RSC decides to abridge it down to ninety minutes with the Bard's most famous characters and renowned speeches in a strange, but familiar narrative-an ancient grudge pits Midsummer's Puck against The Tempest's Ariel, Lady Macbeth uses her master motivator skills on the melancholic Hamlet, Richard III attempts to woo Twelfth Night's Viola, King Lear assesses the love from his three daughters, the Weird Sisters-plus mistaken identities, unsettled ghosts, magical speels, questionable potions, powerful tempests, devastating shipwrecks, and twins twins twins.

"We're thrilled to return to the Folger in this special anniversary year," stated co-author/co-director Austin Tichenor. "We wanted to create a piece that would capture the spirit and fun of the RSC's original production The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) while branching off in a new and equally entertaining direction. Having the opportunity to premiere it at Folger Theatre makes it even more special. Now, fans of the Man from Stratford can no longer claim they've seen the entire Shakespearean canon unless they've seen William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (abridged)."

"We are delighted to welcome back the spirited and whimsical Reduced Shakespeare Company to the Folger during our year-long celebration commemorating 400 years William Shakespeare," said Janet Alexander Griffin, Folger Theatre's Artistic Producer. "For years, the Reduced Shakespeare Company has broken box office records and brought continuous laughs, paying homage to the world's most famous author, to audiences all over the world. We are excited that this merry trio will be returning to the Folger and premiering their tenth staged show for DC audiences to revel in."

This production features costume design by Skipper Skeoch, lighting design by Brittany Dilliberto, and sound design by Brandon Roe.

William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (abridged) plays at Folger Theatre from April 21 through May 8, 2016. Tickets are $35-$75. Lower-priced previews and discounts for students, seniors, military, educators, and groups of ten or more are available and may be purchased at the Folger Theatre Box Office at (202) 544-7077 or online at www.folger.edu/theatre.

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