Sh!t-faced Shakespeare: Hamlet – Leicester Square Theatre, Leicester Square

Writer: James Murfitt and Johanna Rigg  
Director: Stacey Norris

Reviewer: Christine Stanton

“Hammered Hamlet”

4 / 5

To be drunk, or not to be drunk, that is the question. The only answer in Sh!t-faced Shakespeare’s latest production of Hamlet – is (at least for one of the actors) yes, be absolutely sozzled!

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare have created their own unique formula of drunken dramatics, and have spent the last 15 years downing drinks and slurring Shakespeare classics all over the world, winning numerous awards (and undoubtably suffering from numerous hangovers) in the process. Their latest offering, is Hamlet – or as close to Hamlet as they can get with one of the main cast de-railing the show as much as possible due to their tirade of tipsiness.

Similar to the original – the story revolves around Prince Hamlet’s quest for revenge after his father was murdered. Not similar to the original, is an ongoing crustacean theme, Horatio hailing from Croydon or Claudius being aptly referred to as a toxic King. Lines like “Where doth his shank?” and “Hamlet isn’t a pussy” may not have featured in the original texts, but they easily contributed to this being one of the most entertaining Hamlet performances that has ever existed.

Under the influence this time around, is Princess Donnough (Ophelia & Horatio) who is brilliantly entertaining, spending most of her time giggling along with the audience and creating mayhem. While she supposedly necked a bottle of prosecco and a third of a bottle of rum prior to the show, her drunken antics aren’t entirely convincing (though the company do claim the drunken performer does genuinely get drunk), it often comes across as someone acting drunk, rather than actually being drunk! But drunk or not, she’s a comedic gem, her life and soul of the party personality instantly likeable. Adding to the humorous chaos, is compere James Murfitt, interacting with the audience, ushering the storyline along and interrupting with quippy interjections when things start to go slightly too off-piste.

Jamie Sandersfield (Hamlet), John Mitton (Claudius), Aaron Phinehas Peters (Laertes) and Shady Murphy (Gertrude) help to mostly still deliver a relatively understandable Hamlet – though their excellently funny improvisational skills ensure that the comedy factor is still always at the forefront of the show, while still getting to showcase their classically trained talents.

Runs until 21st September 2025