SEASONS (Partial list)
Melbourne Fringe Festival 2015, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’22, ’23
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2016, '17, '18, '19, '21, '22, '23, '24, '25
Adelaide Fringe Festival 2020, ’23, ’24, ’25
Australian Improv Festival 2019
Stratford Shakespeare Festival 2016, '17, '18, '19
Fitzroy Library 2016
Hare Hole 2016
The Butterfly Club 2015
The Improv Conspiracy Theatre Monthly Shows 2015, ’16
CREDITS
Founding Artistic Director Andrew Strano
Technician/Stage Manager Meg Deyell
Producers Ryan Patterson and Adam Hembree
Cast Scout Boxall, Louise Cox, Stephanie Crowe, John Marc Sesengano, Brenna Dixon, Shea Evans, Carly Wilding, Louisa Fitzhardinge, Jasper Foley, Adam Hembree, Matthew Jackson, Dana McMillan, Ryan Patterson, Vidya Rajan, Charlotte Salusinszky, Nikki Viveca, Owen Vandenberg, Katherine Weaver, Cat Commaner, Sam Lawless, Melissa McGlensey, ImogenPalmer, Charlie Sturgeon, James Ward, Rik Brown, Pedro Cooray, Josiah Lulham, Sophie Power, Jessica Pratt, Gabrielle Raz-Liebman, and more, and even more
Musicians Caleb Garfinkel, Erin Heycox, Rhys Auteri, Carly Wilding, Kylie Morrigan, Pan Reed
AWARDS
Best Comedy (Nominated) Melbourne Fringe Festival
ABOUT
Now with over 10 years of shows under their tunics, Soothplayers improvise a hilarious Shakespearean play from nothing but a suggested title from the audience. No plans. No scripts. They guarantee you will laugh or your money back. Really!
Comedy? Tragedy? History? From star-crossed lovers to sword-crossed duels and cross-eyed fools, Soothplayers provide everything that four centuries of theatre-goers know and love, made up on the damned spot! Did you hate Shakespeare in school? Shake off your trauma, you won’t hate this! The show is fast-paced and action-packed, promising laughs and gasps for Bard lovers and haters alike. Soothplayers have received rave reviews for Completely Improvised Shakespeare leaving audiences all across Australia begging for more. Each performance is a completely new work, using Shakespearean language, themes and style. Even the musical accompaniment is completely improvised!
Sounds impossible, right? Wrong! In fact, we're so certain you'll have a good time that we offer a guarantee - no laughs, and we'll gladly give you your money back!
REVIEWS
“Director Andrew Strano balances the creative whims of the performers with an adherence to traditional structure, creating a highly accessible piece of theatre … It’s the performance equivalent of attempting to solve a rubix cube blindfolded – an hour-long wholly improvised Shakespeare play, complete with Shakespearean language and themes. But miraculously, mind-bogglingly, delightfully, it’s one that Melbourne troupe Soothplayers pull off”
BUZZCUTS
"Stripped of the pretension so often associated with modern takes on Shakespeare, Soothplayers' rowdy, hilarious performances are incredibly enjoyable, and kind of astounding … variously wowing with an off-the-cuff rhyming soliloquy or sending the audience into fits of laughter with an unlikely plot twist"
THE AGE
"...mandatory for those who enjoy the works of William Shakespeare, and perhaps do not take themselves too seriously."
★★★★★ – GLAM ADELAIDE
"Not only is each Player a fantastic actor, their knowledge of Shakespeare is a sight to be seen... Every person in attendance at the performance were in stiches during the show and hopefully, like myself, left with a new appreciation for the fine art of improvised comedy"
★★★★★ – LILITHIA
“Soothplayers have managed to breathe new life into a style of writing and way of speaking that, although centuries old, felt fresh and relatable … A thoroughly enjoyable evening of theatre that showcased the undeniable talent of this gifted ensemble of players… Genius.”
★★★★½ – THEATREPEOPLE
"They portray pure talent... a hilarious night of Shakespearean-style speech and brilliant acting."
★★★★½ – WHAT'S ON IN ADELAIDE
“Captivating, hilarious and beautifully executed, the Soothplayers will leave you wondering why you didn’t enjoy studying Shakespeare at school as they inject wit, sophistication and Shakespearean language into a personalised performance. Exciting and awe inspiring”
★★★★ – PLANET ARTS
“…the entire show is a continuous expression of amazement from the audience, wondering just how do they do this? Indeed, the players of Soothplayers are extremely talented at what they do, and the show is nothing short of awe-inspiring"
★★★★ – THE MUSIC
“It’s clear that this creative team are improvisation champions"
★★★★ – FOURTHWALL MEDIA PERTH
"For anyone seeking a night of highly entertaining and spontaneous comedy, Completely Improvised Shakespeare is a sure bet"
THE HERALD SUN
“Hysterical, ingenious and riveting, Soothplayer’s Completely Improvised Shakespeare lives up to its money-back guarantee of being hilarious, with its widely popular shows taking the audience on a ride that is truly a once in a lifetime experience … the room was filled with non-stop laughter as the hour flew by"
SHAKESPEAREOZ
Photo Credits: Ryan Patterson and Marcus Willis