Shakespeare for Breakfast has been a staple of the Fringe since the early ’90s and no show can retain the same extremely high standard through all those years. There had been a decline recently, mostly on the script front, but this year is the strongest S4B has been for some time. Shakespeare’s language is back at the heart of the production and the concept – the more-used-to-presenting-panto Sittingbourne All Stars producing the Bard for the first time – allowed for plenty of fun. This included subtle references to topical news and well-known adverts rather than over-reliance on these for the entertainment that wove through an interestingly / controversially blood-less rendition of Macbeth.
The cast, shifting characters with skill, clarity and apt costume throughout, made decent use of the pavilion style tent, in Christmas colours, and of the music and soundscape provided by one of their members. Along with the panto element, entertainment was also found in many other approaches, ranging imaginatively from children’s storytelling to film noir, as well as songs and bits of easy audience participation. The main plot elements of Macbeth were clear and often the comedy aspects were cleverly used to clarify any Shakespearean matters that might not be immediately understood.
While it is said that comparison is odious, the venue itself invites it by promotion based on decades of being a Fringe favourite. The effervescence of brilliant script, sharp wit and super-charged energy for which Shakespeare for Breakfast was renowned in its hey-day is still a little way off, but this year’s production is well-performed, with many ingredients that cook up a really good show, and might also entice viewers to want to see a full Macbeth production.
The five players make for a strong ensemble, show versatility and clearly relish working with Shakespeare. This was even more evident in their next performance, where they dived into the wonderful world of Shakespeare for children…
In Shakespeare for Kids: Toil and Trouble, William Shakespeare’s ideas, characters and language – which so engage, inspire and entertain – were even more strongly served and deeply rooted.
This show for children from three years old and up, and for their families, was presented more straightforwardly than the panto-based one for general spectators, and neither script nor playing ever spoke down to the audience. As historical information about Shakespeare and his time was woven through scenes from many different plays, the combination of performers who know what they are doing with Shakespeare and an audience whose understanding is not being doubted, showed exactly why words written over 400 years ago are still so much in use today.
The age range of children in the audience looked to be from very young to possibly just reaching double figures. It was a joy to see how quickly these kids were enthralled by Shakespearean action and humour, and also by the poignant, tender moments.
Shakespeare for Kids: Toil and Trouble drew laughs, gasps, shifts to the end of their seats, leanings in, legs hugged in tension, and also quiet appreciation from its young audience, with adults clearly delighted by both the performance and the joy of those younger viewers.
Shakespeare for Breakfast and Shakespeare for Kids: Toil and Trouble both run until 24th August at C aurora with tickets available at https://res.cthearts.com
Reviewer: Danielle Farrow
Reviewed: 12th August 2025
North West End UK Rating:
Shakespeare for Breakfast
Shakespeare for Kids: Toil and Trouble