BOOST: Watch ‘(Un)Shakespearean Nightmares’ at Voila! Theatre Festival 2026 – “In Shakespearean Purgatory no one can hear you scream!” (Ad)

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What happens when Shakespeare’s most iconic characters get bored of their own stories and decide it’s time for a change?

Opening Saturday 7th November at The Playground Theatre, (Un)Shakespearean Nightmares explores a purgatory full of Shakespeare’s biggest characters, who are ready to rebel against their author and rewrite their own stories.

Inspired by comedic and absurdist adaptations of classic plays, the show puts its own twist on Shakespeare, bringing together familiar faces like Hamlet, Romeo and Viola alongside some of his more overlooked characters, including the Soothsayer from Julius Caesar, who’s vital to the plot, but has only nine lines in the original play.

By placing these characters in a modern world, the show explores their untold stories, their frustrations with their destinies and what happens when they finally get the chance to challenge their creator.

Shakespeare has been studied and analysed for centuries, often making his work seem intimidating or simply not for everyone. But his plays were originally written to entertain audiences from all walks of life, and (Un)Shakespearean Nightmares aims to bring back that same fun, humour and accessibility.

Created through a collaborative rehearsal process full of improvisation, experimentation and unexpected comedic discoveries, the show celebrates Shakespeare while turning his world completely upside down.

Expect absurdist comedy, familiar characters in unfamiliar situations and plenty of unexpected twists.

Whether you love Shakespeare or think he’s not for you, (Un)Shakespearean Nightmares invites you to experience his characters in a completely different way.

You can catch (Un)Shakespearean Nightmares at The Playground Theatre on Saturday November 7th from 7:30pm & Sunday November 8th from 4:30pm (60mins). Tickets are available through the Voila! Theatre Festival Online Box Office.

UnShakespearean Nightmares – Voila theatre festival