Solo show No Holds Bard
Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 1-26 August (click here to book)

The show is over, the audience has left, and Hamlet comes home to his dingy flat to face the final curtain.  But can he make up his mind to do it?  Hilarity follows when Macbeth, King Lear, and Othello arrive to help the hapless prince decide whether or not to be or not to be... or not.

NO HOLDS BARD sees Michael join forces with two of New Zealand's freshest writing talents for an outrageous and at times profound view into one actor's attempt at self destruction.

Michael's debut solo performance melds his mastery of the Shakespearean form with an irreverant comic edge.

NO HOLDS BARD: absurdity, schizophrenia and blank verse.

See the No Holds Bard website for complete history, reviews, pictures, etc.

Recent Reviews

Lumiere Reader:  " ... a hilarious and impressive take on Shakespeare that makes fun of the Bard's heroes as much as it embraces them ... scenes where Hurst has to stage a fight with himself that are jawdropping ... The best thing about this show, other that Hurst, is how accessible it is ... Hurst's performance is one that stands up universally and the script is one that will travel and appeal to any audience".

Theatreview:  " ... a virtuoso performance.  His technique is remarkable, the lift of an eyebrow, the pitch of voice, accent, tone and expression are utilised to snap him from character to character.  His one-man fight is fantastic ... and draws appreciative oohs and ahs from the audience ... Anger, terror, sorrow, regret, the stuff that plays are made of; Hurst conjures each with ease".

Nelson Mail:  "incredibly clever, funny piece of theatre . . . Hurst brings each protagonist to life in an astonishing feat of sleight of hand, eye and mind . . . The actor sustains the show's frenetic pace and energy, culminating in a spectacular fight between Macbeth and Hamlet, or Hurst against himself.  He's a knockout!"

Canberra Times:  " . . . solo performer Michael Hurst displays a comedic tour de force of mighty mirth, brilliant timing, stunning slapstick pratfalls, hilarious parody and knockabout characterisation . . . will have you chortling in your chair or captivated by the actor's art".