The Shakespeare Walks 2026
Guildford Shakespeare Company
Guildford’s streets become an open-air stage in Shakespeare Walks, a site-responsive theatrical experience devised and directed by Matt Pinches for Guildford Shakespeare Company. Rather than taking place in a traditional theatre venue, this immersive event unfolds across the town itself, transforming everyday locations into unexpected performance spaces.
The experience begins with audiences gathering at a central meeting point in Guildford, where participants are briefed and provided with a map outlining a self-guided route. In our case, a group of 16 set off together without a designated guide, encouraged instead to navigate collaboratively and remain visible so performers could identify us along the way. This structure immediately establishes a sense of shared discovery, aligning with the company’s ethos of placing audiences at the heart of the action. We were lucky enough to have locals in our group who knew the streets well, if this wasn’t the case we may have been confused more often than we were along the route. However, the performers were keeping track of audience members throughout and when needed pointed us in the right direction. If you stick with your group and keep your maps out, you’ll be fine.
The walk winds through Guildford’s historic and scenic landmarks, including the grounds of Guildford Castle, nearby churches, a graveyard, riverside paths, bustling markets, and even into bookshops and libraries. Along the route, actors appear in ordinary settings, delivering a mixture of Shakespearean monologues, sonnets and duologues. The performances range in tone from comic to deeply reflective, showcasing a breadth of skill and interpretation. Each actor brings clarity, empathy, and strong characterisation to their piece, making even brief encounters feel purposeful and engaging. The actors were genuinely strong and know their craft.
The performers were in modern, everyday clothing so there is a playful tension in not knowing which faces in the crowd might suddenly launch into verse. This blurring of performer and public adds a layer of intrigue. The informal, roaming format also means the experience is shaped as much by the environment as by the performance itself. That said, the outdoor nature of the event is both a strength and a limitation. On a bright April afternoon, the walk felt relaxed and enjoyable, offering a unique way to explore the town. However, with little shelter along the route, poor weather could significantly impact the experience. The route may not be accessible for all members of the public either.
Ultimately, while I would have been more engaged had the piece followed a more robust and clearly connected storyline, I was captivated by the way Shakespeare Walks offers an inventive and accessible approach to engaging with Shakespeare, particularly for audiences who appreciate theatre that breaks from convention and embraces its surroundings.
Although Shakespeare Walks was a one-day event, it’s a format the company revisits regularly, so it will likely return in the future. Shakespeare Walks is a charming and unconventional theatrical experience, a lovely event, best enjoyed in fair weather by those open to a more exploratory form of performance.
⭐⭐⭐
Reviewer: Tara Whenray