For many, Dungeons and Dragons has been the gateway to both literature and the performing arts, in a pop culture sort of way. In the UK, educators tend to pretend that the works of Shakespeare fulfil a similar but more highbrow role. Alas, the bard’s beautiful words are presented in such a dry and unappealing way that often folk are put off for life.
Shelby Bond’s Dungeons and Shakespeare is a one-man show that solves this problem. Mixing the fun of fantasy gaming with the beauty of the bard, Bond has created a family-friendly and super accessible show that gets the mix right.
The show is essentially a game of D&D which uses randomly drawn Shakespearean figures, and its heroes and DnD monsters for the threat. Audience members participate as monsters and heroes, and a die is rolled to add drama and chaos to the affair. Bond evokes a sense of whimsy throughout the show, and though it may feel a little twee to UK audiences, this is quickly overcome by the sense of cheeky joy. After all we’ve made Shakespeare fun, and D&D serious literature.
Bond has mastered his improv and dungeon mastery at countless ren-faires in the USA, and this has given them a seemingly effortless grace to wrangle an audience volunteer of any age. It’s a total pleasure to see someone who has mastered their art perform it, especially a niche show such as this.
Dungeons and Shakespeare is a delightful family show. Perfect for the serious adult who knows about Helsingør but not Owlbears, or the young at heart who has never met Prospero but loves Elminster. Fun and rather lovely.
