The Compleat History of Women, abridged - Thespiation

Adopting the title of a famous play (“The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare, abridged”) can be a marketing coup, but it also presents a challenge. This Fringe Production attempts to tackle history's famous women but, unfortunately, doesn't capture the manic energy and fun its title implies.

Author Wendy Thompson's ambitious attempt to name-check 334 important women from history in 55 minutes is commendable. However, unlike the fourth wall-breaking, fast-paced sketch comedy style of the Reduced Shakespeare Company, the setup is a much more standard living room drama where three women and an unnecessary man attempt to plan the script. Unfortunately, this leaves us with many of the women being name-checked rather than portrayed, played, or goofed on, and the result is a play about creating a play that only launches into action more than halfway through the piece.

The actors' dedication to their roles is evident, with Fringe veteran Joanna Benitez particularly engaging as main character Eve's friend who is helping to put together the show. Joy Gogan, Valerie Hanna, and Larry Goodman round out the cast, and for a relatively new troupe, their commitment to handling difficult material is laudable.

There are some shining moments throughout, but it is hard to get away with the play-about-a-play framing device and the male character's continual countdown of how much time is left (which sometimes feels like an apology). That, combined with some questionable hot takes (about motherhood in particular), made this a difficult journey as the play now stands.