• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Tickets

Ed Fringe 2016: Shit-Faced Shakespeare at the Udderbelly

August 17, 2016 by Lake Gregory Leave a Comment

Review of: Shit-Faced Shakespeare
Produced by:
Magnificent Bastard Productions
Price:
£11.50 - £15

Reviewed by: Gregory Lake
Rating:
3
On August 17, 2016
Last modified:August 31, 2016

Summary:

A Fringe Favourite whose central gimmick overshadows anything else the company has to offer - entertaining but not consistently compelling.

More Details

The concept of Shit-Faced Shakespeare, if you have never seen The Magnificent Bastards at work before, is fairly self-explanatory. A company of actors are performing one of Shakespeare’s works. One of those actors is blind drunk. The show must run to an hour. Herein lies the challenge.

Shit-faced Shakespeare Production Still 5 - © Rah Petherbridge Photography - © Magnificent Bastard Productions Ltd

Whilst most of the attention is drawn by the drunk performer, the real talent displayed here is in the ability of the other cast members to improvise and adapt the play according to which character is drunk, giving them more stage time. After all, the audience has paid to see them – not the rest of the play. And with the drunk performer (in our case Angelo) often veering off-text, their appearances dominate the evening.

These scenes are unquestionably highly entertaining – with our Angelo doggedly determined to appear sober for as long as possible, before giving up and using his black cloak to become  nightmarish prehistoric bird of justice. Thematically, a drunken Angelo making arbitrary and bizarre decisions (demanding that Lucio cut off Claudio’s ‘Winky Dink’) fits nicely into the world of the play, with the other characters and the actors portraying them reeling from the rule of this theatrical tyrant.

Consequently, the rest of the play suffers in comparison – neither particularly compelling or comedic. Comic stage business has been choreographed to fill the gaps, but fails to hit its mark. From such excellent comic improvisers (and the whole cast shines when it comes to quickly constructing an appropriate one liner) I expected better invention than the reliable punchline of Lucio thrusting at the air or stroking their giant codpiece. The costumes are a jumble of generic Renaissance amdram accessories. An exception was the actress portraying Isabella, who considering the circumstances brought an extraordinary gravitas and stillness to her role. Her riotous scenes with Angelo gained a poignancy amongst the parody, and were the highlights of the evening.

Watching Shit-Faced Shakespeare is like being in the company of an entertaining drunk friend – hilarious for a time, although an hour sober in their company and the experience gets a little stale. At the same time – you’ll never know what might happen, and you certainly won’t forget your night with them.

Author: Gregory Lake

Filed Under: Featured, Review Tagged With: Edinburgh Fringe 2016, Magnificent Bastard, Shit-Faced Shakespeare

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Richard Vergette on Leaving Vietnam

We spoke to Richard Vergette, writer and performer of Leaving Vietnam. Richard plays a war veteran who feels ignored and [Read More]

Review / The Journey To Venice at the Finborough Theatre

Bjorg Vik’s play The Journey To Venice is a delightful production, entertaining yet full of pathos. A play with a [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Tzarini Meyler talks KITES at VAULT Festival

We spoke to Artistic Director of LipZinc Theatre, writer and performer Tzarini Meyler about her upcoming show at VAULT Festival [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Naomi Westerman talks BATMAN (aka Naomi’s Death Show)

We spoke to writer and performer Naomi Westerman from Little But Fierce about her upcoming show at VAULT Festival Can [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Angharad Jones on The Swearing Jar 

From New Perspectives, The Swearing Jar is a comedy about love, heartbreak, living with the past and accepting the future. We spoke to director Angharad [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • Tim Edge talks Under the Black Rock
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Writing the Perfect Press Release
  • The Donmar Warehouse's Julius Caesar at the King's Cross Theatre
  • Is this the real location of Ambridge?
  • The Further Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat
  • Art of Believing at The Space
  • The Bacchae - National Student Drama Festival 2015
  • A Midsummer Night's Dream at Brasenose College, Oxford
  • Abel Law on becoming a musical theatre student during COVID
  • Lake Gregory
    Contributor

  • August 17th, 2016
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook1TweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2023 · Blue Pie Media

     

    Loading Comments...
     

      Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

      Email sent!