Ronan Hatfull's account of the Reduced Shakespeare Company exemplifies that company's practice in its own playful approach to comprehensive efficiency. Rarely pausing for breath, Hatfull sets out for the first time the history, practice and influence of the real RSC's game-changing work, without spoiling any of the jokes. Combining rigorous close analysis of the company's plays with thoughtful theorization of the metamodern sensibilities of its pop culture mash-ups, Hatfull's work successfully demonstrates that serious scholarly attention must finally be paid to this most unserious of companies.

Peter Kirwan, Mary Baldwin University, USA

In this most exquisite study of excellent conceited parodies, Ronan Hatfull offers a longitudinal study of the Reduced Shakespeare Company. Like the liquid that has been simmered to intensify its flavors, RSC's abridgements and sketches bring out the best and worst in the canon to entertain generations of audiences. Hatfull argues ultimately that the RSC participates in metamodernism, oscillating between being sincere and ironic. The book concludes with the Ten Commandments of theatrical reduction with broad implications.

Alexa Alice Joubin, George Washington University and MIT, USA