Shit-Faced Shakespeare ~ Romeo and Juliet: Classic William With An Alcoholic Twist – Adelaide Fringe Review

Cornucopia at Gluttony, Sat 10 Mar. [COMEDY/THEATRE – UK] The stage is set, the lights are darkened and our host for the evening emerges to tell us what is wanted from the crowd and what to expect (or possibly not to) from the cast. Five classically trained actors are ready to come on stage to wow us with their amazing acting abilities, with one small twist. One of the actors is totally “shit-faced!” Our fabulous host then outlines exactly what this actor has imbued before the act – enough alcohol to make most people unconscious – then proceeds to ask for help from the audience to make sure our inebriated actor does not sober up! She hands out a horn and gong that two chosen audience members must blow or strike if they believe the actor is starting to straighten up! Of course there is also that one ‘lucky’ audience member who needs to hold ‘THE BUCKET’, no explanations needed here. And so ensues an hour of complete mayhem and chaos that was hilarious at every step of the play, and the host spends much of the evening making sure our sloshed Shakespearean thespian is safe from falling off the stage. The sober actors try to keep to the basic story of Romeo and Juliet, but also play along with the drunken actor, all with laugh out loud experiences. Cue the banana sword fight and three way marriage (but hey – love is love!) and who knew there was a third family – the Norris’s, apparently, included in the family feuds. All in all, Shit-Faced Shakespeare was a hilarious, laugh-a-minute riot that has no choice but to survive on the edge of each unexpected moment. With cast members taking their turn at the pre-show alcohol binge, surely no two shows would ever be the same. For that reason alone I’d happily go again and again to see which actor is outrageously sozzled and to witness what twists to the story that they may bring. Shit-Faced Shakespeare is an absolute hoot! 4 stars Janine Spearpoint Shit-Faced Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet continues at Cornucopia at Gluttony from 9.30pm until Sun 18 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #ADLfringe Image courtesy of Rah Petherbridge Photography