Round up: #15SecondShakespeare

#15SecondShakespeare. It’s this year’s Ice Bucket Challenge, but with less water and even more overacting.

The premise, if you’re new to the West End’s favourite hashtag, is that actors take frankly ludicrous pop song lyrics and perform them in the style of the world’s greatest playwright.

It is a gold mine of bite-sized silliness and has led to the London stage’s finest showing off their annunciation and emoting like never before.

You could spend your time sifting through Twitter and Instagram to find the very best offerings, or you could just scroll down the page, where we’ve created a collection of what are, in our humble opinion, the cream of the iambic crop.

Actor and composer, Arthur Darvill

Hey. @davidfynn here is my #15secondShakespeare I nominate @neilhimself @JoeSims10 pic.twitter.com/dLl5tOARd0

— Arthur Darvill (@RattyBurvil) September 23, 2015

Former Young Vic Hamlet, Michael Sheen

My #15SecondShakespeare. I challenge @eddieizzard and @TerryGilliam pic.twitter.com/FNzRufrzUW

— michael sheen (@michaelsheen) September 25, 2015

Current Shakespeare’s Globe Richard II, Charles Edwards

Thanks @IanGelderacta. Onwards to @DreyfusJames, @GregHaiste & @emmagafielding. #15secondshakespeare pic.twitter.com/gijZBChihI

— Charles Edwards (@CEdwardsActor) September 22, 2015

Former Wicked star, Louise Dearman

So especially for that @Laurensamuels88 #15secondshakespeare #probnotactually15seconds pic.twitter.com/HEhlKQkkHU

— Louise Dearman (@LouiseDearman) September 20, 2015

Les Misérables’ Carrie Hope Fletcher and Emma Kingston

Myself and @CarrieHFletcher joining #15secondshakespeare thanks @theamzi for nominating! We nominate EVERYONE! pic.twitter.com/FDAxnqPbIU

— Emma Kingston (@emkingston) September 19, 2015

Bend It Like Beckham The Musical’s Lauren Samuels

#15secondshakespeare I nominate @LouiseDearman @StuartPiper @Jamiebower ???????????? pic.twitter.com/qi0V253Q1M

— Lauren Samuels (@Laurensamuels88) September 19, 2015

Dinner With Saddam’s Nathan Amzi

GENIUS #15secondshakespeare @davidfynn @mikejibson I nominate @TVSanjeev Steven Berkoff & @jennarusselluk #craft – pic.twitter.com/O5uvc5qIiZ

— Nathan Amzi (@theamzi) September 19, 2015

The Vote’s Myanna Buring

For @jadeanouka nominations on Twitter #15secondshakespeare X

A video posted by myannaburing (@myannaburing) on Sep 23, 2015 at 4:13pm PDT

Mr Foote’s Other Leg’s Joseph Millson

@davidfynnn #15secondshakespeare

A video posted by vinegarmillson (@vinegarmillson) on Sep 23, 2015 at 6:35am PDT

Former The Phantom Of The Opera star, Ramin Karimloo

Obliged. #15secondshakespeare I nominate @earl_carpenter @andrewkober and @thewillswenson @tammutu @sergeprotector …could not think of a more absurd lyric to try. Apologies. No offense intended) xx

A video posted by Ramin Karimloo (@raminkarimloo) on Sep 22, 2015 at 7:04pm PDT

Jersey Boys’ Edd Post

My effort for #15secondshakespeare #shakeit #junk #allaboutthatbass #actor #shakespeare

A video posted by Edward Post (@eddpost) on Sep 21, 2015 at 4:57am PDT

The Wars Of The Roses’ Michael Xavier

#15secondshakespeare #prince #purplerain #iambicpentameter #shakespeare #TheWarsOfTheRoses #RoseTheatre

A video posted by Michael Xavier (@michaelxavieruk) on Sep 20, 2015 at 9:54am PDT