Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre bring their first show to the Fringe – Classic! written by soap writers, Lindsay Williams and Peter Kerry, a cast of six attempt to break a world record and fly through 42 literary classics in just one hour.
Covering everything from Moby Dick to War and Peace, the cast put a unique spin on each. Oliver Twist has a 1920’s gangster film noir makeover, Pride and Prejudice is a silent movie, Black Beauty becomes a pantomime, and Tess of D’Urbervilles is told by a barber shop quartet. There is a change in pace part way through, the first couple of novels are performed in more detail and then they blast through the rest very quickly. The pacing is brilliant and keeps you intrigued as to what will happen next for the full hour.
Each member of the company proves an excellent comedic actor – there are no weak links among this incredibly strong cast. There’s some light audience participation, although no getting out of your seat which is plus!
Expect high speed costume changes, some brilliant mocking of the classics – literally so many people die in Wuthering Heights! It’s pure chaos and I could watch it on repeat, Classic! is ingenious, witty, fun and hilarious.
Classic! bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love it!
{🎟 AD – PR invite – Tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review}
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