Following their run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Shit-faced Shakespeare’s all-singing, all-dancing, all-drinking sibling, Shit-faced Showtime, returns to London with an intoxicated spin on the widely-loved literary and musical classic. Cast member Issy Wroe Wright tells us more.
Shit Faced Showtime – Oliver With a Twist is at Leicester Square Theatre 5th – 9th September 2018.
Shit Faced Showtime – Oliver with a Twist is coming to Leicester Square Theatre, what can you tell us about it?
Oliver With a Twist is essentially a musical comedy show: It’s the story of the boy who asked for more set to some of your favourite musical classics (including a few of Lionel Bart’s best). We then add a big old twist in the form of a drunken cast member. Come curtains up it’s down to the rest of the cast members to improvise around that person. It’s hugely unpredictable and hugely fun!
So, someone genuinely gets drunk?
Yep! Genuinely sozzled. They’ve been drinking steadily for four hours prior to the show. We get their favourite bevs in and they get down to business.
When you get chosen to be Shit Faced, do you see it as a good thing or a bad thing?
I see it as a night off really. When it’s your drunk show it’s essentially your birthday party. Your mates turn up to the ‘drink-up’, we put on your favourite songs and do whatever you’d like to do in those 4 hours. The actual show is weirdly freeing and for those in our cast, the blending of partying and performing is a match made in actors heaven.
It’s just been up at Edinburgh Fringe, what was the audience reaction?
We sold out in Edinburgh this year and had great press response! Edinburgh audiences are a lot of fun and you never know what they’re going to throw at you. They’re usually just as merry as our lovely inebriate. I can’t wait to see what London throws at us.
Why is Oliver the right choice for the Shit Faced treatment?
I think everyone remembers doing ‘Oliver Twist!’ at school which is what makes it so fun to tamper with. The musical has some great numbers, an interesting plot & the characters are deeply troubled. The mix between utter tragedy and the ludicrousness of what we’re doing makes for a very funny combination.
What’s your top tip for curing a hangover?
Sorry chums, I’ve found no magic cure yet, but don’t underestimate the healing powers of water and carbohydrates; Post-show both are enforced on our drunk in a fluid period of time we lovingly refer to as, ‘water hour’. Take the time to sober up before bed, you will thank yourself. Take it from a professional pisshead, we’ve been doing this for a whole month!
