Sh!t-faced Shakespeare’s – Hamlet delightfully reinvents the classic tragedy, inviting chaos and hilarity into the hallowed halls of the Bard. In this energetic production, five classically trained actors tackle Hamlet, but each night one is chosen to be the “pissed player” thoroughly primed with beer, tequila, and White Claw before taking the stage. The results are uproarious, the selected actor veers wildly from the script, improvising lines and injecting spontaneous mischief, while the rest of the cast deftly keep the narrative afloat with razor-sharp wit and improvisation.

No two performances are alike. Whether Ophelia, Horacio, or another character is inebriated, each show unspools a new thread of mayhem. The unpredictability provides the production’s pulse, with the sober actors displaying remarkable agility as they rein in the madness and ensure Hamlet’s story stays (mostly) on course.

Audience participation transforms the theatre into a lively celebration rather than a staid recital. The crowd enthusiastically supports the drunken antics, ensuring each show brims with laughter and chaos. Yet, beneath the madness lies clear skill and respect for Shakespeare’s structure, making for a dynamic, inventive, and genuinely entertaining experience.

As the curtain drops on this riotous reinvention, only one question remains: “To drink, or not to drink?” Judging by the atmosphere, the answer is obvious—bottoms up!

Ben Smedley

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare continues at the The Vagabond at The Garden of Unearthly Delights until Sunday 22 March.