Review: Sh!t-faced Shakespeare Much Ado About Nothing, Leicester Square Theatre

Review: Sh!t-faced Shakespeare Much Ado About Nothing, Leicester Square Theatre

Summary

Rating

80

Excellent

Unforgettable and unconventional, Sh!tfaced Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing is highly interactive and improvisational. A drunken night of random chaos ensues.

Reminiscent of an adult pantomime, Sh!tfaced Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing presents a distinctive theatrical experience, where one member of the cast is delightfully intoxicated, leading to an evening of unpredictable hilarity.

The initial bottles consumed by the drunk actor for the evening are presented to the audience. Additional beers are showcased too, in case the inebriated performer displays any signs of sobering up. At the beginning of the show, two volunteers are given musical instruments, and instructed to use them throughout the show whenever they want the actor to take another drink. The enthusiastic response from the audience, eagerly offering to participate, suggests that regular viewers are well acquainted with the interactive nature of the show and its call for participation.

To fully appreciate the production, a basic understanding of the plot is essential (my English Literature degree is finally vindicated!), otherwise, viewers may become baffled amidst the drunken ad-lib. For those less familiar with the story, a concise recap could have been beneficial after the interval.

Much Ado About Nothing is a lively Shakespearean comedy that intertwines love, deception, and of course, mistaken identities. The play follows the ups and downs of two romancing couples: the witty Beatrice (Flora Sowerby) and bantering Benedick (John Mitton), alongside the sweet but naive Hero (Holly Durkin) and doubting Claudio (Matthew Seager). The villain of the story, Don John (Chris Lane), is behind various mischievous schemes.

The intoxicated cast member of the evening was Sowerby, a type of drunk you’d like to go on a night out with. With her sharp comebacks and disregard for sticking to the script, sprinkled with a few well-placed c-bombs, she delivered a brilliantly audacious performance that embodied the spirit of Beatrice surprisingly well.

Amongst the talented ensemble, Mitton shines on stage, playing a delightfully creepy and camp villain. He steals the show with his comedic prowess in a scene with an audience member. Additionally, his duel with protective mother/aunt, Leonata (Stacey Norris), is extremely entertaining, enhanced by a Renaissance version of ‘Unholy’.

The cohesiveness of the cast is emphasised when they venture off-script. They collaborate well and their ability to think on their feet, adapting to the moment, creates spontaneous moments of brilliance: one particular line that had the audience in stitches included a remark about a current BBC scandal.

The striking contrast between the sober actors, who gracefully deliver classical Shakespearean lines, with Sowerby’s witty and improvised colloquialism, heightens the comedy. In her unique way, she highlights the very thoughts that resonate within us all – the inherent fragility of Shakespeare’s plots, particularly in regards to ridiculous disguises.

The costumes are excellent, despite Sowerby’s skirt accidentally falling off several times. The best is a sparkly jumpsuit and ruff collar combo worn by the compère Beth-Louise Priestley.

Priestley is a fantastic host, however, her role is an awkward one: she encourages the drunken antics, whilst simultaneously attempting to maintain a level of control in order to propel the play on. This dynamic adds an interesting but odd layer to the overall atmosphere.

This intriguing and unconventional production of Much Ado About Nothing leaves the audience with a desire to witness the drunken adventures of other characters in subsequent shows. The actors revel in the joyous madness, sharing their infectious enthusiasm. Yet, at times it becomes overwhelming as the cast members speak over each other, causing dialogue to be lost in the commotion.

Overall, it is a fun evening out. Prepare to be immersed in a whirlwind of improvisation and chaos, making it the most un-Shakespearean Shakespeare spectacle you will ever see. With big laughs and unexpected surprises, this play is truly intoxicating.

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Written by: William Shakespeare with adaptations by Rev. Lewis Ironside
Directed by: Stacey Norris
Costume design by: Lorna Jean Costumes

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing plays at Leicester Square Theatre until 9 September. Further information and bookings can be found here.