ShakeItUp takes the traditional form of the long-form improv show and applies it to the even more traditional form of the Shakespearean tragedy (comedy, or history depending on the night you go) in what is a solid, well-executed but relatively uninspired hour of comedy.
The show starts like you would expect a long-form improv show to start; the performers ask the audience for a nemesis, a setting and a Shakespearean genre. On this particular performance, the audience sees The Shakespearean Tragedy of Janet in Japan, a tale that pretty closely follows the narrative beats of Hamlet except Hamlet is a delegating Japanese princess, and whose father was poisoned by some badly prepared fugu. As the fog rises on the battlements of Osaka, the show kicks off, showcasing a mix of commendable moments and missed opportunities.
The improvised show gets straight to it with James Dart as a vengeful ghost. With confidence and presence, Dart sets up a straightforward path for the company of actors to follow, a path which is rarely veered from. As well as Dart is James Alston, who plays Rosencrantz-esque footman Toyota and Edward Kaye as the titular Janet. All three performers shine brightly, displaying remarkable agility in their improvisational skills. They keep careful stock of the narrative progression and slip in and out of scenes with an impressive ability to riff Shakespearean dialogue that keeps the momentum going whilst also somehow meaning nothing at all.
Unfortunately, this improvisational rigour is not present across the whole company. Rebecca Gibbs as Janet’s uncle, Clarence and Joe Prestwich as Guildernstern-esque footman Nissan, struggle to find their footing throughout. Gibbs is easily flustered and often resorts to repeating jokes made by her counterparts. Prestwich is unable to assert himself in scenes, instead favouring the sidelines and tag-ons.
The show’s incorporation of audience-written lines is a clever tactic to keep the laughs coming, and it works well. It’s a welcome interactive element to the performance, and some of the best moments of humour appear when a scene is derailed by an odd metaphor. It is a shame that the performers are not quite as adept at bringing back these absurd threads. Although competent and mostly well executed, the comedy is relatively uninspiring. Combining Shakespearean themes with toilet humour doesn’t yield the most exciting results and a re-hashing of Hamlet in a different country doesn’t add much to the literary canon.
ShakeItUp: The Improvised Shakespeare Show is a mixed bag of creativity and missed opportunities. While the quick thinking of some performers and the integration of audience suggestions add moments of delight, the show struggles to sustain its humour and fails to fully embrace the potential of its concept. Despite its flaws, it provides an entertaining experience for audiences seeking a lighthearted introduction to Shakespearean improvisation.
Runs until 4 November 2023
