Shakespeare x 5

Shakespeare x 5 is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at ZOO Playground. It has 24 performances listed, running from Fri 7 Aug, 11:30 to Sun 30 Aug, 11:30. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.

About this show

Surprised by the audience and completely unprepared, two clowns grab the only story everyone knows: Romeo and Juliet. What begins as a funny mission to be understood soon turns into a wild whirlwind of imagination. You don't just watch, you become part of the chaos. This high-speed scramble is a real display of physical skill. But as the laughter peaks, the fun turns into a fierce rebellion – the one that lives inside us all. It's funny until it's not. A provocative, heart-wrenching finale that asks what remains among the ruins. Fearless, absurd and unforgettable.

Details

  • Venue: ZOO Playground
  • Space: Playground 1
  • Genre: THEATRE, Physical theatre, Clown
  • Country: BULGARIA
  • Running time: 60 minutes
  • Room size: about 40 seats (Playground 1) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
  • Performances listed: 24, of which 0 still to come and on sale

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair access: level
  • Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet, Audio described performances
  • Venue notes: Accessible entry: Through main door and down a short corridor. Wheelchair access type:Level Access Stairs: None Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.

What the reviewers said

We have captured 3 published reviews and 26 audience reviews for this show from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s own listing. The excerpts below are the reviewers’ words, not ours — follow each link for the full review.

  • Shakespeare x 5 is a good example of how clowns in Shakespeare work. Shakespeare can take the challenge of adaptation, and Hand Theatre is worthy to collude in the challenge of clowning through the Bard.

    British Theatre Guide (3 out of 5 stars)

  • Funny, fast-paced clown show earns the right to share its thinking

    The Wee Review (4 out of 5 stars)

  • Romeo and Juliet Five Ways is a surprisingly thoughtful production beneath its chaotic surface: funny, frustrating, inventive and, ultimately, rather moving.

    A Young(ish) Perspective (3 out of 5 stars)

Performance dates and ticket availability

  • Fri 7 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Sat 8 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Sun 9 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Mon 10 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Tue 11 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Wed 12 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £12.00
  • Thu 13 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £12.00
  • Fri 14 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Sat 15 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Sun 16 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Mon 17 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £12.00
  • Tue 18 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £12.00
  • Wed 19 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £12.00
  • Thu 20 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £12.00
  • Fri 21 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Sat 22 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Sun 23 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Mon 24 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £12.00
  • Tue 25 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £12.00
  • Wed 26 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £12.00
  • Thu 27 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £12.00
  • Fri 28 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Sat 29 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Sun 30 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £13.00

View on the official Fringe site

More shows at ZOO Playground

Plan the rest of your Fringe

Still building a day around ZOO Playground? These are the rest of the Edinburgh Fringe 2026 programme's shows at the same venue, in the same genre, and on the same dates.

Ed Fringe Guide is an unofficial, fan-made guide. Not affiliated with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society or edfringe.com.