Peareshakes – Improvised Shakespeare Shows
Peareshake's members are skilled improvisors who based on an audience suggestion, spontaneously create a totally new "Shakespearean" play in real time, right in front of your eyes. Plays usually last from 30 to 40 minutes. Never do we perform the same show twice!
We perform in and and around Dublin in Improv shows and festivals, but sometimes travel further afield such as Drogheda or Belfast, or anywhere else we might be invited.
We also offer introductory fun Improv workshops for adult actors and non actors. These workshops cover the core skills needed for Improv Comedy, Theatre or Musicals.
What is Improv? Improv, short for improvisational theater, is a live performance in which the actors make up scenes, dialogue and characters on the spot. It sometimes, but may not always incorporate a suggestion from the audience.
How might you like your Shakespearean Improv? With a dash of reality or a surreal interpretation of that reality? Well, Peareshakes is a group of seasoned improvisers who try to introduce a sense of culture and art into the mainstream eyeball (Shakespeare invented that word) of Improv.
Tales of comedy and tragedy where fools, murderers, ghosts, and battles on the skirmish level, heroes, villains and tormented lovers are commonplace. Yes improvised Shakespeare on the spot (out spot out). If you don't believe it then come and see it (Shakespeare wrote that).
About Peareshakes
Formed in 2015 with the intention of showing that with great teamwork and effort the challenge of improvising Shakespeare is fun and can be done. Pearshakes were regular performers at The Tightrope Improv Club in both Anseo, Camden St. and The Pearse Centre, Pearse St. We have appeared at the Irish Improv Festival and in The Belfast Improv Festival.
We also appear on a tri-monthly basis at the Belfast Improv shows in Lavery's Bar Theatre.
Our members are Alan O'Connell, Benjamin Musgrave, Brian Quinn, Grainne McIvor, Neil McCourt and Tim Manning.
Main areas of our focus
Performing Improv
We just love getting out on stage and making up stories in the style of William Shakespeare. To make it sound authentic, we use the language, rhythm and tropes of The Bard. Let us know if you would like us to perform anywhere in Ireland. We are always willing!
Improv Workshops
We provide introductory Improv Workshops for non-actors so that they can experience the art and fun of gradually stepping outside their comfort zone. We will also provide more advanced workshops for improvisors who would like to peform Shakespeare or other long form formats.
Having Lots of Fun
Our main goal, whether we are giving workshops to complete beginners, or performing and practicing Improv ourselves, is to have lots of fun and laughs. Being part of Peareshakes is like "going out to play" all over again.
FAQ
Concerning our workshops...
What makes learning with us different
We ensure that everybody learns Improv in a fun and supportive environment. The number of participants is limited so that we can provide individual attention. Nobody will be asked to do anything that they don't want to do. They will each however be asked to gradually step outside their comfort zone.
What are the benefits of Improv
People who learn to improvise become better listeners. They learn to think better on their feet and find they live more in the present moment. Overall they become more confident and usually at least a little more creative. Here is a 3 minute video from our friends in the US.
Who runs the workshop
Brian Quinn is the founder of Peareshakes and has been improvising theatre for many years. He is both an actor and director. He has written a number of plays and had poems published in a number of anthologies. He won his first arts competition in the 80s in the Droichead Arts Centre.
Tim Manning has been improvising and teaching for the last 10 years. An ex-member of The No More Marys and ET Improv, he is passionate about training, teaching and learning.
What we have to offer
We offer face to face workshops in a modern bright hall in Marino on the North Side of Dublin. Our workshops are kept small so that we can ensure individual attention. The classes take place once a week for 6 weeks. Each workshop lasts about 2 and a half hours but it may go on a bit longer. People who take more advanced workshops will be offered the chance of performing a showcase for their friends and family.
When is our next workshop
Our next workshop for beginners starts on Tuesday July 15th. If you would like to be part of this new group of prospective improvisors, we recommend that you book your place now!
Peareshakes Improv
Carleton Hall, 53a Shelmartin Avenue, Marino, Dublin D03 X684
Contact: Tim Manning
cnocadoir@gmail.com, 0872317675