He may be one of the greatest English language writers ever known, but that doesn't stop theatre companies putting their own twists on Shakespeare's works. We've picked a few quirky and unusual productions — different settings, time periods and levels of drunkenness — available to watch in London this summer, so get booking!
Romeo and Juliet in the Wild West: Shakespeare's Globe
It's Shakespeare's great love story but not as you know it. In the American West, where we lay our scene, a blood feud rattles on between two sworn enemies. Rawaed Asde and Lola Shalam take on the roles of star-cross'd lovers Romeo and Juliet, whose blossoming romance ends in tragedy. Expect stetsons, cowboy boots, saloon brawls and pistol fights aplenty.
The production has links to Beyoncé’s latest album, Cowboy Carter, both recognising the diversity of cowboy culture and acknowledging that Black cowboys existed in the American West.
Romeo and Juliet at The Globe, 25 April-2 August 2025.
Jonathan Bailey in Richard II: The Bridge Theatre
While there's nothing unusual about the Bridge Theatre's staging of Richard II, its star is drawing crowds. You've still got a couple of weeks to see popular Bridgerton actor Jonathan Bailey taking on the titular role of the disastrously incompetent king, with Royce Pierreson as his cousin Henry Bolingbroke, who went on to take his throne.
Richard II at The Bridge Theatre, until 10 May 2025.
A Midsummer Night's Dream: The Bridge Theatre
Hot off the heels of Richard II (above), The Bridge Theatre's acclaimed production of A Midsummer Night's Dream is back, with Shakespeare's comedy performed in the round to immerse the audience fully in the party atmosphere. For full on immersion, choose a standing ticket and follow the action as it shifts around the space, with aerial silk stunts, confetti cannons and dancing to bring the fairy-inhabited forest to life. "Shakespeare collides with Cirque de Soleil and a Pride parade in a melee of sequin-spangled silliness" is how our reviewer described the inaugural run back in 2019.
A Midsummer Night's Dream at The Bridge Theatre, 31 May-23 August 2025. Choose between seated or standing immersive tickets.
All the lawn's a stage: Shakespeare in the Squares
Shakespeare in the Squares is back — with a troupe of Shakespearian actors performing amidst "the fairest flowers o th' season" in a number of the city's picturesque garden squares and parks.
2025's play is The Taming of the Shrew, a comedic battle of wits, wills and wild romance — with a few toe-tapping pop classics thrown into this version for good measure. Read more here.
Shakespeare in the Squares, 4 June-12 July 2025.
Henry V in the Second World War: The Actors' Church
Originally set around the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years War, this take on history play Henry V moves forward over 500 years, against the backdrop of the Second World War. It explores the King's leadership, with a focus on the emotional costs and trauma of war, including the lasting effects of PTSD on everyday life.
See it on selected weekday evenings in the garden of the Actors' Church in Covent Garden, part of its Theatre in the Garden series. Note it's an outdoor setting, so dress for the weather.
Henry V at The Actors' Church, 24 July-14 August 2025.
Open-air Shakespeare plays: The Actors' Church
In addition to Henry V, The Actors' Church stages some more traditional takes on Shakespeare plays in its garden this summer too. Quantum Theatre presents A Midsummer Night's Dream (4 July), and A Place For Us theatre company performs double bills of Romeo and Juliet and a visceral take on Macbeth (both 1-4 August). Again, all performances take place outdoors on the lawn, so dress for the weather.
Drunk Hamlet: Sh!tfaced Shakespeare
Lest we forget that the earliest performances of Shakespeare's works often featured bawdy behaviour and rambunctious audiences, Sh!tfaced Shakespeare return to Leicester Square Theatre this summer with another instalment of their gin-soaked riff on the Bard. This time, Hamlet gets the Sh!tfaced treatment, namely, one cast member getting increasingly sloshed as the play goes along. Here's one West End show where you're actively willing on flubbed lines.
Sh!tfaced Shakespeare: Hamlet at Leicester Square Theatre, 7 August-21 September 2025.
