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Hamlet

Hamlet

cutting and notes by Lindsay Price from the original by Shakespeare

Undeniably the most famous play in the English language. The ghost of Hamlet's father orders Hamlet to avenge his murder. Hamlet's inaction leads to madness and tragedy. The play's the thing.

Drama Character Study Classical Adaptation Shakespeare Shakespeare in an Hour

Recommended for High Schools and Middle Schools

Running Time
About 60 minutes
Approximate; excludes intermissions and scene changes
Cast
24 Characters
15 M9 F, Doubling Possible
Set
Simple Set
Length
47 pages
Free Excerpt

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Performance Royalty Fees

Royalty fees apply to all performances whether or not admission is charged. Any performance in front of an audience (e.g. an invited dress rehearsal) is considered a performance for royalty purposes.

Exemption details for scenes and monologues for competition.

24 Characters
15 M, 9 F, Doubling Possible

Characters in this play are currently identified as male or female. Directors are welcome to assign any gender (binary or non-binary) to any character and modify pronouns accordingly.

Francisco [M] 6 lines
A Solider
Bernardo [M] 8 lines
A Solider
Marcellus [M] 13 lines
A Solider (officer)
Hamlet [M] 131 lines
Prince of Denmark, nephew to Claudius. Several Monologues.
Claudius [M] 40 lines
King of Denmark
Gertrude [F] 29 lines
Queen of Denmark, Hamlet's mother
Ghost [M] 7 lines
Hamlet Senior, the ghost of Hamlet's father
Polonius [M] 17 lines
Chief advisor to the King
Ophelia [F] 21 lines
Daughter to Polonius
Laertes [M] 29 lines
Son to Polonius
Horatio [M] 4 lines
Friend to Hamlet
Rosencrantz [M] 11 lines
Childhood friend of Hamlet
Guildenstern [F] 14 lines
Childhood friend of Hamlet
Osric [M] 8 lines
Member of the court
Players (Five players for the dumb show):
King (M), Queen (W), Poisoner (M), and two followers/dancers (W)
A Priest [M]
First Gravedigger [M]
Second Gravedigger [F]
A Messenger [F]
A Gentlewoman [F]
Lords and Ladies to fill out the court scenes.

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From the Drama Teacher Learning Centre

A Picture-Perfect Production: Hamlet
Production

A Picture-Perfect Production: Hamlet

To be or not to be is the infamous question. However, there is no question that Lindsay Price’s annotated version of Hamlet is a great way for students to experience Shakespeare’s tragic tale. This...
Same Character, Different Choice
Classroom Exercise

Same Character, Different Choice

Are your students feeling stuck or frustrated with their playwriting assignments? This exercise will help get them unstuck by challenging them to explore alternative situations for their scenes and...
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