South African company performs Shakespeare with a 420 twist

POPULAR South African production company, Baked Shakespeare, is coming back to Cape Town after its Edinburgh debut and UK tour, with The Two Gentlemen of Verona at The Outlore Base from May 16 to June 1.

Performing Shakespeare with the added chaos of cannabis consumption, the company has been selling out shows in Cape Town since 2021, applying its model to Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night and As You Like It which was awarded an Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda.

Baked Shakespeare is making The Bard’s legendary works accessible to a new generation of audience members, getting them to engage with live performance. It creates an interactive theatre experience that advocates for the commercial use of cannabis products. The audience selects two performers at the start of the show to be the designated “stoners” for the night. Baked Shakespeare truly encapsulates the atmosphere of The Pit at the old Globe Theatre in the 16^th century, embracing debauchery within an event that is a celebration of Shakespeare.

Since its foundation in 2021, when Baked Shakespeare performed only six times due to Covid, the company has grown to international proportions. It has evolved from performing in small bars to touring across South Africa, establishing itself as a registered company that licences the concept globally.

The Two Gentlemen Of Verona – a twisted rom-com – is a classic Shakespearean comedy which follows the story of two friends, Valentine and Proteus. They are on the brink of adulthood, experiencing adventure, betrayal and love for the first time. Chaos ensues when they both fix their eyes on the same girl.

This show, directed by Kimberly Buckle, has everything from steamy love triangles, gender bending, audience interaction, and of course…raucous fight scenes.

“Join us for a psychedelic evening of classical performance with a twist, and some of the grooviest 420 vibrations imaginable,” says the company.

• Where: The Outlore Base, 80 Hout Street, Cape Town
• When: Thursday May 16 – Saturday June 1, 8pm
• How much: R120 – R150 via Quicket
• Talk to: Jake Maisel at jakemaisel2@gmail.com, +27 83 749 5127 (phone calls), Whatsapp +44 736 618 0627
• Social media: @baked_shakespeare on Instagram and TikTok