Fringe review: AFTER SHAKESPEARE, Slade Wolfe Enterprises Ltd - Edinburgh Festival Fringe

What happens to Shakespeare's best-loved heroes and most reviled villains after the curtain falls? Come and join a host of familiar Shakespearean characters as they reflect back on their lives: including Lady Macbeth, Portia, Hamlet and King Hal (Henry V). Lexi Wolfe weaves together Shakespeare's words, historical research and her own dramatic spark, as she transforms into four distinct characters to follow their onward journeys.

Wolfe's writing is superbly original, and seemlessly accustomed to Shakespeare's most infamous characters. It's hard to imagine that this part of their story was not written at the same time as their plays were, such is its ability to blend in.

Her performance is astonishing. Changing between characters almost straight away, it’s hard to believe there isn't three more of her waiting in the wings for their turn to perform.

The stories are fascinating and engaging. Filling in the gaps of these characters makes them more appealing, in a strange way; maybe they're not as bad as Shakespeare would like us to think they are.

Refreshing and gifted writing.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

After Shakespeare plays in the Studio at theSpaceTriplex at 4.05pm until 26 August.