The joke sounds thin until you realize the other four actors are working hard the entire time, rewriting blocking on the fly to accommodate a colleague who is genuinely impaired. The room seats fewer than a hundred people around the playing space, so nobody is a spectator for long. If you have out-of-town guests who would rather not sit quietly through a proscenium show, this is the reliable answer.
What to expect
You are seated close, often at small tables, in a red-lit library set with the audience surrounding the action. Expect direct address, audience participation, drinking, and a running time around ninety minutes. Upgraded seating in the room comes with extra participation, not less.
Good to know
- The Ruby Theatre is on Thirty-Ninth Street near Bryant Park — walk from Times Square or Fifth Avenue
- This is a twenty-one and over show, and identification is checked
- Audience participation is built in; sit toward the back if you want to stay out of it
- The room is small and weekend performances sell through, so book rather than walk up
- No Shakespeare knowledge is required, and the cast assumes you have none
- Confirm accessible seating with the venue directly, since the space is compact
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Common questions
Is the actor actually drunk?
Yes, that is the premise. One cast member drinks before and during the performance while the others play sober and adapt.
Do I need to know the play?
No. The company narrates and jokes through the plot, and the show is built for audiences with no Shakespeare background.
How long is it?
Around ninety minutes, without an intermission.
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