Splendid improvised Shakespearian antics from a merry bunch of fools.
It’s a Sunday at 2pm, and a crowd of around 200 people are witnessing the murder of a small boy.
It’s not a police matter. We’re here at Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT) to watch Impromptu Shakespeare, entirely improvised and unscripted jollity, and said small boy gleefully volunteered himself as sacrifice. He’s even making suggestions on how the dark deed can be done.
Taking prompts from the audience, the players weave a rousing tale of three sisters. One to be wed, one sadly dead, and the other? Well, she’s soon set-upon by lusty midlife lesbians. But can the possible beloved of the first sister be trusted?
The cast take the Bard’s breadth of language to a contemporary setting. From Wim Hof to Pokemon hats, there’s many modern references which bring great humour to proceedings. The tricksters take to the audience to pilfer props as-and-when they see fit, from drinks bottles, to one character sporting a fetching new raincoat from yonder Mountain Warehouse. There’s the odd bawdy joke for the adults in the audience, with the romantic lead, Stephen Forrester, needing a trip to the apothecary to address his problems with hard wood.
Many actors find Shakespeare’s words a trial. The Impromptu Shakespeare cast come up with this style of sentence on the spot. It’s impressive, and they’re rewarded with lots of laughter from the audience. There’s the now characteristic reference to an unexpected British town. In today’s version, Stevenage takes a turn in the spotlight. It’s become newly known for its finery in embroidery and tapestries. There’s also a magical forest, overseen by an old crone, but you can call her Twiggy. The cast collaborate to great effect, responding to the environment and ribbing each other with abundant joy. There’s calls to kill noisy children in an adjoining park, requests of the birds and commentary on distant sirens. The players and their responses are precisely on-point. There’s great fun for all the family here.
Sadly Impromptu Shakespeare plays for only one night at BOAT. Their story is completely improvised piece and disappears on the wind once completed. If you do want to catch them they are still on tour. But, be quick, for soon they will be gone.
Reviewed on 25 May 2025.
