THE raucous improvised Shakespeare comedy, led by the audience, will be making its debut at Theatr Clwyd, fresh from performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August.

Using the language of Shakespeare, audience suggestions, and the actors’ imaginations, ShakeItUp performs a completely new and made-up Shakespeare-style play live on stage, complete with music and songs.

The audience is invited to pick their genre: Epic History, Romantic Comedy, or Gruesome Tragedy, as well as name the lead character, side characters and location of the play.

As an added bonus, the audience gets to play the Bard by penning their own wittiest Shakespearean line for the brave actors to pull from their breeches when they need a helping hand – despite having no idea what the line will be before they say it.

Created to be accessible and enjoyable to all, The Improvised Shakespeare Show is designed for
everyone to take part in, from Shakespeare aficionados to novices, with laughs, drama, and plenty of bard-based Bedlam.

James Dart, Artistic Director of ShakeItUp Theatre Company said: "I am thrilled that The Improvised Shakespeare Show is coming to Theatr Clwyd.

"Theatr Clwyd has an amazing reputation as a champion of new work, and we are honoured to be a part of their season this year; you couldn’t get fresher or newer than a never-before-seen Shakespeare play made up on the spot!

"This is Shakespeare as it was meant to be: completely improvised and utterly bonkers."

ShakeItUp Theatre Company was formed in 2018 by graduates from The Guildford School of Acting, who loved Shakespeare but hated learning lines, so decided to try making up their own!

The company’s first performances took place in a tiny room above a pub in Putney, and since they have gone on to perform at The Brighton Open Air Theatre, The Hen & Chickens Theatre, Camden Fringe, Larmer Tree Festival, Byline Festival and the world-famous Minack Theatre in Cornwall.

MOST READ

Additionally, ShakeItUp have taken part in the pioneering New Normal Festival in the summer of 2020, and appeared in the inaugural season of the Thorington Open Air Theatre in 2021.

ShakeItUp has also gone international, and so far they have performed their unique improvised Shakespeare plays in Italy, Poland, and Germany.

In 2024 the company have made their return to Edinburgh Fringe, as well as performing at well-known venues including London’s The Other Palace, Theatre Royal Plymouth, and making their debut at Theatr Clwyd in August.

ShakeItUp: The Improvised Shakespeare Show will be performed at Theatr Clwyd from Friday 30 –Saturday 31 August. Tickets are from £10. Booking available at Theatr Clwyd’s website www.theatrclwyd.com or by calling 01352 344101.