The team behind Sh*t Faced Shakespeare, after their rip roaring Sh*t Faced showtime Wizard of Oz, bring us ‘Sh*t Faced Showtime Oliver with a Twist.
It’s been two years since I have seen a sh*t faced production and my expectations are high.
I first saw Sh*t Faced Shakespeare many moons ago when they were playing at the Edinburgh Fringe and the format hasn’t changed at all, it’s easy: One of the cast (they rotate so there is no chance of alcohol poisoning or liver damage) have been drinking for four hours before the show and they then have to go on stage and remember everything they have learned: sounds easy, right? Wrong.
From the off were told just how much the actor has consumed; half a bottle of gin and another little can of gin. The controller of tonight’s show [insert name] quickly gives the audience some toys to make some sound and encourage more drinking if we thought the actor was becoming sober - perfect.
Let me make it very clear, you’re not here to watch Oliver! You’re here to watch as one drunk actor is comically tries to remember what’s going on on stage and be as good as they can be. Our drunken actor playing Oliver is Jessica Hern. Her giggly entrance already sets the audience off. She does rather well to remember he staging and but the script is out the window. Dance was incredibly accurate so hats off to our inebriate thespian; what did go out the window was script.
Oliver turned into the grandson of Dame Maggie Smith, walked 10 meters to London, threw apples into the audience and by the end of the piece had killed Bill and Nancy and adopted Bullseye the dog. It was wild to say the least.
The Twist aspect came in the shape of the songs that were being sung, songs from fair lady and les miserables were thrown in to the mix to give a great little ‘Twist’.
This is not a polished Musical production and nor should you expect it to be, it’s fun, light hearted and a very good way to start a good night out. Go and see this ASAP.
Finishing on the 9th of September.
Review by Samuel Clemens
Rating: ★★★★★
Seat: Unallocated | Price of ticket: £17
Photo Credit: Mark Sepple
