“SHAKESPEARE Down the Pub” is the latest venture in Lakespeare & Co’s relentless quest to bring the work of The Bard to ordinary Canberrans for free.

The cast will perform their coming production, “Twelfth Night”, in the vaguely Elizabethan George Harcourt Inn, without scenery, props, stage-lighting or microphones while patrons eat, drink, talk and yell with, or at, the actors in an atmosphere the producers say is “as reminiscent of the Globe Theatre circa 1600 as it is possible to get in the nation’s capital”.

Aimed at people “who think they don’t like live theatre, to say nothing of Shakespeare’s plays”, “Shakespeare Down the Pub” will try to bring a literary and cultural occasion that is engaging, fun and irreverent.

Nothing daunted, the cast then shift south for the formal premiere at Lanyon Homestead on Friday.

“Shakespeare Down the Pub”, George Harcourt Inn, Gold Creek, 6.30pm, Thursday, February 14. No bookings required.

“Shakespeare by the Lakes II”, “Twelfth Night”, in four Canberra locations: ticketed performance, Lanyon Homestead, 6.30pm, February 15, then free performances at:  Tuggeranong Town Park, 6pm, February 21 and 22; Glebe Park, noon and 6pm, February 23; and Patrick White Lawns, National Library, 4.30pm, February 24. Book at eventbrite.com.au