Reduced Shakespeare Company tackles sports at Phillips Center

September 12, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Three-man comedy troupe Reduced Shakespeare Company brings its latest stage show, “The Complete World of Sports (abridged)” to the Phillips Center for Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16.

RSC is known for its fast, funny and physical condensations of serious topics, including history, the Bible and, of course, William Shakespeare.

“Sports” is a 90-minute merciless, but affectionate satire of an ESPN-type broadcast that “reduces every sport ever played on every continent in the entire history of the world.” From the earliest cavemen playing “Neanderthal in the Middle” to your own kid’s soccer practice, the entire history of athletic competition is celebrated in a tour de farce of physical theater. “Sports” is family friendly and audience interactive.

Since 1981, RSC has created seven stage shows, two TV specials and numerous radio pieces that have been performed, seen and heard all over the world. The company’s itinerary has included stops at the White House, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and London’s West End. Three of RSC’s shows were London’s longest-running comedies at the Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly Circus.

Tickets are on sale and available for RSC’s show. Call 352-392-ARTS (2787) or 800-905-ARTS (toll free within Florida), or visit www.performingarts.ufl.edu for more information.