Hip Hop Shakespeare

Every Friday night should start with 45 minutes of Hip Hop Shakespeare; I have spent the hour since seeing this show humming and lalala’ing with a huge smile on my face. For all those thespians out there who don’t think this is for them I double dare you to go along anyway.

I guarantee that you will find the story telling not only flawless but you will come out with a few new songs for your i-technology. The songs are a mix of original text from both the play and the song they are singing it to. For all those hip hoppers who seriously don’t do Shakespeare come along to see the best Lil Kim I’ve heard for a long long time. This is like a much edgier, sharper and more current version of the 90-minute version of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare unabridged. This is more fun and gets the grey cells working both on trying to place the play and then the song – don’t read the track list it is more fun.

First impressions are not always correct. When you walk in to Performance Works, its set like a dinner dance table of four fill the room, this is the first indication my spider senses are askew. Secondly a very white-collar couple arrive on stage and by the end of the first bar of the first song – Macbeth/Doin’ It - LL Cool J feat Lesaun – it is clear they are lyrical geniuses and the room is in fits of giggles. What they bring is a mix between a hip hop stand-off, with a bit of really good acting, the action and characterisation that is fantastic.

My fave song was Romeo and Juliet sung to Sorry Miss Jackson by Outcast no wait it was Othello to 99 problems by Jay – Z... you know what, there wasn’t one song that stood in this playlist as each song was better than the last. I was sad when it ended; I wanted more, the sign of really great practitioners. Leave us wanting more and we will come back.

Melanie Karin and David Benedict Brown make up the company 411Dramaturgy that presents this piece, this is the second time I have seen offerings from this company and take it from me – watch this space! They are but a week married and are saving to have a decent honeymoon. Piece of unsolicited advice, cut this album and sell it at the door (I would have bought two on the spot). Lyrically spectacular with the right mix of cursing and original text. Every person in the room was rapt in the speed and perfection of this piece so much so on opening night received a much deserved standing ovation, even from me Miss Velcro pants.

If you don’t have a ticket, shame on you! This will sell out and then double shame on you for not seeing it! You have been warned.