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The title of Slings and Arrows, like many of the themes and characters in this show, comes from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It refers to “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” that the Danish prince suffers, leading him to question whether he is to be or not... you know. It’s a clever title for an inspired show about--what else?--the theatre. Set in the New Burbage Theatre Festival, a fictional Canadian Provincial theatre, a jaded, burnt-out artistic director, Oliver Welles (Stephen Ouimette), dies suddenly, and is replaced by a potential genius, his visionary protégé Geoffrey Tennant (Due South's Paul Gross). Geoffrey is legendary at the New Burbage for his awe-inspiring performance of Hamlet there years before, and also because he went mad and now his sanity seems to be hanging by a thread. And oh, by the way, Oliver’s still hanging around as a ghost, but Geoffrey’s the only one who can see him (sound familiar?), and his impulsive reactions and out-loud arguments with Oliver--including one captured while being interviewed for a news program--besides being hilarious, convince the cast and crews he’s really lost it. The show details the daily activities at the festival as they attempt to mount a new production of Hamlet (starring a movie star who’s all face and no talent), and in doing so it employs a huge cast of peripheral characters, including the dysfunctional acting company (rising star Rachel McAdams has a key part), scheming board members, and a neurotic theatre staff, each with their own little subplots interweaving to make one big drama.
This first-season set of the Sundance Channel program contains only six episodes, which is too bad because the series is so excellent it’ll leave you wanting more. The fact that shows of this caliber are rare makes it stand out all the more. The writing is topnotch, with memorable dialogue, biting dark humor, and clever situations that continually point out how absurd real life can get. This one is a real gem, a show that demonstrates ‘tis nobler in the mind to laugh at the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, rather than suffer them. --Daniel Vancini
Description
Airing weekly in Canada on The Movie Network, this darkly comic Canadian drama series had the critics piling on the superlatives from the very first episode. On the theory that "the real show is backstage," it follows the fortunes of a dysfunctional Shakespearean theatre troupe, making fun of the excesses of the actors for whom art (and ego) is everything, as well as the "suits" who want to turn the theatre into a Shakespearean theme park. It accomplishes the neat trick of being a laugh-out loud comedy and a moving drama, with characters whose fortunes, however outrageious, become addictively important to viewers. With a production of HAMLET as the central plot line in Season 1, there are theatre jokes aplenty - including a ghost who only appears to one tortured soul. But as the LOS ANGELES TIMES put it: "You don't even have to know or like Shakespeare to enjoy it."
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Most helpful customer reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
This series has it all.,
By Berty "Berty" (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Slings and Arrows: Season 1 (DVD)
Comedy. Drama. Pathos. It has the lot. Even if you've never seen a Shakespeare production in your life, this will strike a chord. The writing is tight, original and hilarious. The premise is simple, the ups and downs of a theatre company, its cast and its behind the scenes battles and romances. But the way it is portrayed is not high-brow or exclusive, on the contrary, it seems very real, and the human frailties and triumphs it shows feel familiar.The acting is stunning, particularly Paul Gross, Mark McKinney and Don McKellar. Gross' manic Geoffrey is heroic and pathetic in the same breath. You can't help but get involved in the plotting of the horribly shallow Holly. McKellar's pompous arty director is caricature gone wild. You can't help but love Anna and her inability to provide the necessary hot drinks. You can't help but wonder when Season 2 will be released. For once, the hype is true. This series is a gem.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Creative, Hilarious,
By
This review is from: Slings and Arrows: Season 1 (DVD)
Quirky, smart, funny...you can't beat this winning formula. The backstage of a Stratford-like theatre festivel provides, as you can imagine, a plethora of very peculiar and amusing characters. Script, cast, production, everything is top notch. Too bad those seasons are so short...damn! Anyone knows if it's coming back for a third season?
4.0 out of 5 stars
Slings and Arrows, fun for theatre lovers,
This review is from: Slings and Arrows: Season 1 (DVD)
A lighthearted satirical look at theatre, actors, and Shakespeare's plays, it pokes delicious fun at the pretensions and foibles of the famous Canadian Stratford Festival. The comedy is character-based, fantastical at times, and always interesting. Each season deals with the staging of one of Shakespeare's plays, starting with Hamlet, going on to Macbeth, and finishing with Lear. The director's notes to the actors are insightful, and the actors' delivery of the immortal lines always a delight. Highly recommended.
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