The Ruff Guide to Shakespeare promises a spirited romp through Shakespeare's life and 37 plays, in just 60 minutes.

Specially created to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, this is not a conventional account of the Bard. Shakespeare is played by a woman, actor Eleanor House, a native of Aberdeen. 'It's educational and also light-hearted,' says Euan Shanahan of Take Thou That, the company behind this ambitious undertaking. 'It's for kids but we don't dumb it down.'

The show is aimed at children aged six and upwards, giving audiences a look at Shakespeare's life from cradle to grave. It takes in his early days in Stratford-upon-Avon and his time in London at the Globe theatre.

All of Shakespeare's plays are included at least once in the show, along with some of his sonnets and songs, too. In just an hour, the show belts through history plays, tragedies and comedies, and underlying this whirl of activity is a real passion for Shakespeare and a desire to convey that to a new generation.

'Watching kids light up is fantastic,' says Shanahan. Sounds like an ideal introduction to the world's most famous playwright.

Assembly George Square Gardens, 6–19 Aug (not15), 11.10am, £8–£9 (£6--£7). Previews 4 & 5 Aug, £5.