In addition to the usual performances that one could expect from on Valley stages this summer, there is one show that promises a night of comedy, cocktails, and pure unpredictability as takes over downtown for a limited twelve-week engagement with a new production titled “Drunk Pirates.”
Set to open on June 10 at The Rose Theatre, “Drunk Pirates” offers audiences an opportunity to experience Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous book, “Treasure Island,” turned into a comedic play, with just about any outcome possible. What makes this production unique, apart from being a part of an engaging script, is that one actor must drink five shots before and during the show, and the other actors remain sober and uninhibited.
The show follows young Jim Hawkins out on his adventure, sailing on the Hispaniola with Long John Silver and an assortment of questionable characters searching for a mythical prize. However, unlike what many adults probably recall from their younger days, the show soon strays from the story into a delightful use of imagination, with sword fighting and alliances becoming increasingly more absurd as the drunken actor attempts to keep up with the ever-changing narrative.
A combination of both live performance and improvisational entertainment, “Drunk Pirates” revels in spontaneity and is never twice the same, giving audience members incentive to come back again for more fun with the drunken rogues. “Drunk Pirates” is brought to you by Drunk Shakespeare; the acclaimed stage production company whose productions made their way onto The New York Times’ list of Critics’ Picks. Notable for mixing both traditional theater techniques with comedic entertainment, the production group is known for staging plays in which a single member drinks to excess while performing a condensed version of a Shakespeare play in less than 90 minutes.
The group has built a solid reputation for lively entertainment by combining classical literature with improvisational comedy and nightlife. As claimed by the group, the ensemble has done more Shakespeare than any other theater company in America.
In Phoenix, “Drunk Pirates” delivers a similar experience, featuring craft cocktails and snacks that can be purchased during the show. The venue features various seating levels, starting from balcony seats priced at $49 up to stage-front seats priced at $89. There are also special VIP seats available for additional pricing.
Given that this immersive entertainment is gaining popularity, “Drunk Pirates” is one of the many shows targeting fans of interactive forms of entertainment rather than those that require going to the theatre to watch plays. Combining a comedy club atmosphere, theatre performance, and drinks into one, the show aims to give its audience an experience that will not only entertain but also bring a lot of surprises. For those who want a fun summer night of entertainment, this sea-themed comedy is definitely worth checking out.
Insider Takeaways
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Drunk Pirates drops anchor at The Rose Theatre in downtown Phoenix with a limited summer run built for theater fans who like their classics shaken, stirred, and wildly off-script.
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The setup is deliciously chaotic: one performer drinks five shots before and during the show while the rest of the cast tries to keep the Treasure Island-inspired adventure afloat.
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Expect Jim Hawkins, Long John Silver, sword fights, sketchy alliances, and enough improv energy to make every performance feel like its own rogue voyage.
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The show comes from the team behind “Drunk Shakespeare,” the acclaimed theatrical mischief-makers known for mixing classic literature with cocktails and comedy.
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With craft cocktails, snacks, and several seating options, the Phoenix run feels less like a buttoned-up theater night and more like a downtown summer party with plot twists.
Book your tickets online at drunkpirates.com/phoenix-pre-sale.
