Here is a mathematical puzzle. If the Reduced Shakespeare Company, veteran theatrical abridgers, can deliver the complete works of Shakespeare in a mere 97 minutes, how long will it take them to run through the Star Wars saga? The quandary has been raised by the news that George Lucas, perpetrator of the science fiction cycle, has granted the company the rights to stage a version of the tale.

Well, the second half of the show may last a good half hour or so. But the first act, dealing with the prequels, may, once you have stripped away all those pointless council meetings, dreary parades and endless recounting of myths, have trouble making it past the five-minute mark.

A performance of the show will be filmed for Sky at the Criterion Theatre in London on August 17th.