To Have a Script or To Not Have a Script?
Impromptu Shakespeare is coming to Chiswick Playhouse
Impromptu Shakespeare
A theatrical company which attempts to perform Shakespeare through improvisation rather than sticking to the Bard’s original words is coming to Chiswick.
Impromtu Shakespeare was due to perform at the VAULT Festival in London but, following its cancellation, will now be staging two shows at the Chiswick Playhouse.
Although Shakespeare hasn’t written anything new for over 400 years the production aims to create a new play every time based on audience suggestions with wit, lyrical smarts, romance, and a dash of double-crossing.
Impromptu Shakespeare have performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, Bristol Shakespeare Festival, appeared on BBC Shakespeare Live, and were the winners of Best Comedy Event at this year’s Buxton Fringe.
Each show is different but unmistakably Shakespearean, echoing his themes, characters and language. It's suitable for families with children (age guidance 10+) with its combination of accessible irreverence whilst striving to be as true as possible to Shakespeare.
The cast are not only theatrical and comedic improvisers but have a broad array of education and experience in classical text: dissertations on Shakespeare’s works, classical acting training and a multitude of acclaimed Shakespeare credits (including with Shakespeare’s Globe).
The cast includes experienced improvisers, such as Ailis Duff (Notflix: The Improvised Musical, Red Rose Chain), Rosy Fordham (Les Enfants Terrible, Unicorn Theatre), James Irving (Shakespeare for Breakfast, Classic Andy), Daniel South (Upstairs Downton), Octavia Gilmore (Butterfly Theatre, MusicBox, Multiverse Improv), Jules Munns (The Maydays, Ten Thousand Million Love Stories), Charlie Sturgeon (Australian Shakespeare Co), Jenny Rowe (Read Not Dead at Shakespeare’s Globe, The Maydays).
The shows will be on Monday 14 and 28 March at 7.30pm and last for one hour with no interval with ticket prices at £15 or £12 for concessions.
Company member Ailis Duff says, ““We are all so excited about the return of live theatre. The pandemic has really shown that there’s something truly special about watching a live show with an audience around you – it’s an experience that just can’t be recreated, and one that we’ve all missed! And improv is the perfect way back into this; it’s a unique, one-off performance that’s created between the actors and the audience, and it will never happen again. What better way to celebrate the return of live shows!”
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February 25, 2022