EDINBURGH 2018: BWW Q&A- Shit-Faced Shakespeare

BWW catches up with Lewis Ironside from Shit-Faced Shakespeare to chat about performing Hamlet at the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Tell us a bit about Shit-faced Shakespeare.

Shit-faced Shakespeare is the very clever and sophisticated blending of a 1 hour long Shakespearian classic with a single inebriated cast member plonked in the middle of it each night. It's wild, unpredictable and very, very funny. We've been going for 9 years, toured the world, broke America (slightly) and Shit-faced Shakespeare is back for our 7th Edinburgh Fringe show in the magnificent Underbelly McEwan Hall with our newest show; Hamlet.

Why did you choose to perform Hamlet?

Because it's still difficult to get the rights for a Shit-faced Lion King... Seriously, Hamlet has everything. Regicide, incest, betrayal, hauntings, a wrestle in a mud pit. All the classics. It's the greatest every story written about a mopey lad who goes a bit loopy and does some stabbings.

What does one performer being drunk add to the classic text?

Saliva. Lots of exciting four letter words. Nudity. Battle yodeling. If you're very lucky perhaps even some detailed explanations about what the hell is happening with the actual story. We never know what is going to happen and our cast are prepared to handle whatever our drinker throws at them and the plot on any given night.

Who would you recommend comes to see it?

Anyone who loves Shakespeare, anyone who hates Shakespeare and especially those who enjoy comedy and booze! You don't need to know these stories to enjoy a Shit-faced Shakespeare production and we're often the first exposure people have to these plays. Think of us as the gateway drug to doing hard Shakespeare later in life.

What's next for you after the festival?

We're performing in London and across America for the rest of the Summer and we'll be off on tour in 2019 and aim to return to Edinburgh next year. If you just cannot wait till then why not check out our Youtube series; Shit-faced Shakespeare Shorts.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/shit-faced-shakespeare-hamlet