The Greenshow

The Greenshow is a time-honored tradition in Shakespearean theatre and marks a special part of our Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival season. This year we are thrilled to welcome back the Unruly Fools, a juggling, comedy duo who will entertain you with jokes, daredevil stunts and some entertaining audience participation.  Prepare for the plays by immersing yourself in the Greenshow antics from the Shakespearean period. 

The history of the Greenshow goes back to Elizabethan times. A Greenshow was a short play that preceded the main production for the day. Oftentimes the Greenshow took place on the green outside the theatre (hence the name "Greenshow") although this wasn't always the case. Actors in the Greenshow were typically affiliated with the theatre company acting in the main feature. In many ways, the Greenshow served as what we now know as the warm-up or opening act for the main performance. Oftentimes, Greenshows were parodies of whatever play was to be performed by the troupe. The Greenshow is an integral part of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, an opportunity to both follow the tradition of a Shakespearean performance while providing a good way to pass the time before the main presentation.