When it comes to the theatre, it can’t be argued that Shakespeare has always had a lasting appeal.
But what about Shakespeare performed with at least one actor or actress drunk? Welcome to the glory of “Shitfaced Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Scottish actor Saul Marron is happy to be our smart, quirky and sometimes drunken lead.
Few bodies of work in theatre, if any, have inspired wild creative explorations as much as Shakespeare’s.
Weighing in on the very valuable and wildly funny end has been the comedic masterpiece “Sh*tfaced Shakespeare”.
Here Shakespeare’s classic is performed by a cast, where one member (on a rotating schedule) has spent the previous four hours prior to the show, getting quite drunk indeed.
Taking the lead is Scottish actor Saul Marron.
Having been quite happily with “Sh*tfaced Shakespeare” from the start (2010) his insight is invaluable.
“It’s been an amazing experience; the show’s taken on a little bit of a cult status over the past few years,” commented Marron about the show.
“We’ve been a big hit at the Edinburgh Fringe, which is just a crazy, intense month back in home in Scotland. And over the past year we’ve been fortunate to travel to the U.S with the show. It’s been a huge hit across there as well. You never know what’s going to happen or what the drunken actor is going to throw into the works. You’ve just got to take whatever is given to you and try to make it part of the play. Every show is very different.”
Marron continued about the unique performance requirements of the play, “It’s strange what sticks in the deepest parts of your brain and comes out when you’re drunk. Some of the cast undress themselves others refuse to follow the plot by turning down proposals or being madly in love with a character they definitely shouldn’t be etc. Personally I’ve tried for years to suppress the need to sing the Dawson’s Creek theme tune but it always seems to find its way out and into the show. There’s nothing quite like having 500 people singing along with you.”a
“Shitfaced Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is performing 26th April- 11th June at the Leicester Square Theatre, in London.
Saul Marron is a 34 year old Scottish-born (Crieff, Perthshire. Home of Ewan McGregor and Famous Grouse whiskey) actor, producer and comedy writer who is currently based out of London.
He has received significant acclaim for his comedy and voice over work over the years (some of which include campaigns that could be recognized in almost any UK household) It’s debatable if this kind of work can prepare someone for something as off center and interesting as “Shitfaced Shakespeare”, but clearly it’s a platform that was built for both Marron’s abilities and inclinations.
Expect his enthusiasm for the whole only to continue to grow.
For more information and for tickets be sure to visit: www.shitfacedshakespeare.com
