Pictured: Paul Kuhn (Photo by Rebecca Gudelunas)

West Philly’s Curio Theatre is returning for its 2023 Spring season to turn Shakespeare on his head!

Following their hit run of Spymonkey’s Oedipussy, Curio takes on the UK company’s hilarious Shakespearian bloodbath, The Complete Deaths. Prepare to see all 74 onstage Shakespearean deaths in 90 minutes (75 if you count the ill-favored fly killed in Titus Andronicus), including Roman suicides in Julius Caesar, the death fall of Prince Arthur in King John, the carnage at the end of Hamlet, snakes in a basket in Antony & Cleopatra, Pyramus and Thisbe, young Macduff, and more.

The Complete Deaths was first presented as a Spymonkey co-production with Brighton Festival and Royal & Derngate, Northampton in 2016.

“During the pandemic, we looked back on the shows we have done, and which ones brought us and our audiences the most joy,” Curio founder and co-artistic director Paul Kuhn said “And without a doubt, it was Spymonkey’s work. The way this piece literally requires laughter, joy, and teamwork – we just felt like the world needs so much more of that right now. We did a training this summer with Aitor Basauri from Spymonkey, and I laughed so hard that I had to be taken to the hospital. Thank god I made it back!”

The Complete Deaths is directed by Curio co-artistic director Meg Trelease. Her cast of four clowns includes Kuhn and Curio Company members Aetna Gallagher, Tessa Kuhn, and Nathan Joseph. Kuhn is also the set designer. Gallagher is the costume designer.

So, it’s time for some fun, laughter, and just a silly good time. The Complete Deaths runs March 16-April 1. Opening Night is Saturday, March 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20 during previews and $30 for the rest of the run. Discounts are available for students and seniors. The show runs Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. with two 3 p.m. matinees on Saturday, March 25 and Saturday, April 1.

All performances are in Curio’s resident black box theater located inside Calvary Center for Culture and Community at 4740 Baltimore Ave. Tickets and more information are available at www.curiotheatre.org. Masks are required at this time.