My friend and I saw Sh*tfaced Shakespeare’s rendition of Romeo and Juliet for the first time this week, and I have so many things to say about it. As Benvolio would say, “Borrow Cupid’s wings, and soar with them above a common bound.” Or as a drunk man playing Benvolio would say, “Let’s go to the thing, maybe. Yeah, that.”
1. #Same
Shakespeare plays transcend time and culture. They will still be relatable after you and are long dead. At the same time, Sh*tfaced Shakespeare is very much in the now. It speaks to the thoughts of a modern (drunk) actor, and it is pretty hard to replicate the thoughts of a drunk Shakespeare actor.
2. #Iconic
Shakespeare itself it super quotable, but when you mix in the modern language of drunk actors, you get gold.
3. #HotMess
The actors get sloppy drunk.
Like, really sloppy.
4. #FourthWall
Two lucky audience members get to tell our actor when to take another drink. That’s my kind of audience participation.
5. #Dirty
The innuendos are everywhere, from the phallic costumes to the added word play and “sex scenes.” If Shakespeare likes sex jokes, Sh*tfaced Shakespeare loves them.
6. #LoveIsLove
Sometimes the best way to modernize Shakespeare is to let Romeo hit on Tybalt and then they kiss a little bit and they end up together.
7. #Lit
There’s a bar in the lobby so that you can join the fun. Just don’t get on stage (unless they ask you to) (which they might) (it has happened).
So grab yourself a cocktail, sit back, relax, and enjoy the one hour’s traffic of their stage.