shakespeare for breakfastTo be greeted by a cup of coffee and a croissant as you take your seat in the theatre is not a bad start to the day. The friendly actors come and chat to audience members, sticking to Shakespearean language before launching into their play.

Although it begins with a tempest (like in The Tempest) this is not straight Shakespeare. Instead they have written a pantomime with goodies (Hamlet, Ariel, Henry V, Kate from The Taming of the Shrew) and baddies (Iago, Richard III, Tamora, Third Witch) from the plays. Around these they have concocted a nifty Shakespearean plot about a girl whom a storm washes up on an island – Shakespeareland. She pretends to be a boy, there is a plot by the baddies to gain independence from their leader, Shakespeare, and it all builds towards an ending where one of two things could happen: either everyone dies or everyone gets married (it’s a panto – guess which one they go for).

The costumes are lo-fi affairs, Ariel hops around with ribbons stuck to her shirt and sulking teenager Hamlet hides under a hoodie. The acting is knowingly overwrought, especially Prince Henry who, in Shakespeareland, is also known as Prince Harry (that name sounds familiar) and who speaks as if he is straight from an episode of Made In Chelsea.

Shakespeare For Breakfast works well for a number of reasons, not least because it’s Shakespeare (who would turn up to see Brecht-fast?) but also because the cast has plundered the most recognisable lines and given them all a wordplaying twist. Henry V strides on in Union Jack swim shorts and says “once more unto the beach, dear friends…”  – although it is “get thee to a punnery” that just about sums it up. For those who didn’t listen at school, they do explain much of what is going on but for the Bard-buffs in the audience there are many opportunities to laugh loudly and show just how much they know. It is designed to appeal broadly and its fond spoofing and loveable goofing ensure that it does exactly that.

Shakespeare For Breakfast is at C Venues (Venue 34) until 25 August. For more information and tickets go to: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/shakespeare-for-breakfast