Summertime is traditionally full of outdoor production’s of Shakespeare’s works, but rarely are they about the Bard of Stratford himself. Dauntless City Theatre is doing just that with Vijay Padaki’s Shakespeare By Any Other Name in St. James Park. Directed by joey o’dael, this work looks at several aspects of Shakespeare’s influence in our current world: from performing Shakespeare to who was Shakespeare and everything in between. Two talented performers guide the audience, and some volunteer participants, on this journey through Shakespeare’s works and time and how he still impacts us today.

Shakespeare By Any Other Name is a multi-faceted exploration of the man, the plays, and the legend of William Shakespeare. Vijay Padaki’s writing style is dynamic, allowing for a good deal of audience participation while also having educational dialogue between the two performers. Padaki’s background in theatre is evident, and I enjoyed all of the references to impressive writers from other cultures and the seeming mythology surrounding them as well. Where the play lost me a little was the emphasis on the “authorship question” – a long-standing debate over the “true” author of the plays we attribute to William Shakespeare. While 2011’s film “Anonymous” got things quite riled up in the popular consciousness, books like “Shakespeare Beyond Doubt” and “Contested Will: Who Wrote Shakespeare?” have sought to put the argument to bed once and for all. I was surprised to hear such importance put onto the question in the play, however I do give kudos to the playwright for bringing forward another potential author outside of the usual Oxford/Bacon debate. However, having studied the Bard’s works for many years even before my studies in University, I’m coming into this debate with a fully formed opinion and chosen side. Granted, this also means that the jokes about the English Major wanting to perform scenes from Shakespeare hit oh so very close to home and had me cracking up multiple times throughout the performance.

The other interesting subject of note was the effect colonialism and imperialism have on Shakespeare’s popularity and becoming a household name. Dauntless City Theatre’s version of this play has been specifically modified to talk about its role in the residential schools, and I thought this was a much needed change/addition. It reminded me a great deal of 1939 which was put on at the Stratford Festival last year. I actually wish more time could have been devoted to this topic; while I think Shakespeare is still taught and performed for myriad reasons, it never should have been at the expense of ones native tongue and stories.

The performers of Shakespeare By Any Other Name are simply named One and Two, played by Tallan Alexander and Chi-Chi Onuah. Alexander gives a great performance, leaning into their character’s skepticism and subdued enthusiasm for the subject matter. Onuah’s Two is far more like myself, and she ensured her vivacity matched that of the character. I loved how she’d point out the phrases from Shakespeare, knowing the play, act and scene they were from (something I’ve been known to do on occasion). They’re a dynamic duo and keep the audience engaged. Their use of the space is also very commendable, ensuring to address the full audience despite us all being scattered among the benches. They were also very aware of the traffic through that portion of the park, but never allowed it to affect their performances.

Whether you’re a fan of the man or his work, Shakespeare By Any Other Name is a delightful way to engage with the Bard in many different ways. Make sure you pack the sunscreen and some water and head out to St. James Park for this fun and engaging show. It runs Friday – Sundays only until August 27th and it’s Pay What You Can! For more information, visit: http://www.dauntlesscitytheatre.com