CHAOS IN THE FOREST: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM GETS A SH!TFACED TWIST

By Tanya Howard | Founder, The Live Review London · @glamglitzlondon ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare has returned to Leicester Square Theatre in London for their eighth year of residency. The concept is simple: one cast member gets heavily intoxicated each night, leading to a unique performance. And this time round they are taking on A Midsummer Night’s Dream, promising a chaotic and hilarious interpretation.

The show opened with our compere for the evening, Beth-Louise Priestley, who explained how things would work. It was her job to keep our drunk actor safe and ensure the show was kept on track. To ensure the drunken antics were genuine, audience members were given horns and gongs to sound at their discretion if they felt the actor needed topping up.

For our night, Julia Bird had taken on the role of Hermia with a hefty dose of alcohol. Her slurred lines and unpredictable behaviour added a layer of comedy that kept the audience in stitches. Her nonsensical ramblings and physical comedy regularly took centre stage, making it clear that anything could happen at any moment.

The brilliance of Sh!t-faced Shakespeare lies in the cast’s ability to adapt and improvise. The sober actors deserve immense credit for their quick thinking and seamless adjustments to Bird’s unpredictable antics. Their improvisation skills and timing were impeccable, turning potential disruptions into comedic gold.

And for those of you thinking, but I’m not a Shakespeare fan? Well, I’m going to shock you with this one… I’m not either. But the fusion of classic literature and modern, cheeky humour created a unique and fun experience. I would say a basic understanding of the plot will help navigate moments when things go off course though.

I did have one sceptical moment where I wondered whether the drunk actor rotates and if the behaviour is genuinely spontaneous. The authenticity of the drunkenness adds a layer of unpredictability so would the cast prefer it to have been rehearsed. Either way the blend of rehearsed scenes and intoxication is a unique twist and showcases the company’s skill.

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare A Midsummer Night’s Dream delivers on it’s promise of chaos and hilarity. The combination of talented actors, audience participation, and an inebriated performer makes for an unforgettable evening. It’s a fun evening for both Shakespeare enthusiasts and those looking for a unique take on the Bard’s work. You can catch the show at Leicester Square Theatre until Saturday 7 September.

WEBSITE

PREVIOUS SH!T-FACED REVIEWS

⭐⭐⭐⭐