Hamlet cutting and notes by Lindsay Price from the or... - Theatrefolk

Hamlet

Recommended for High Schools and Middle Schools

Hamlet

cutting and notes by Lindsay Price from the original by Shakespeare

A one act annotated version of Shakespeare's tragic tale of murder, ghosts and revenge.

 About 60 minutes

Times given are approximate and do not include intermissions/scene changes/breaks

 24
15 M | 9 W, Doubling Possible

Simple Set

 47 pages

Drama Character Study Classical Adaptation Shakespeare Shakespeare in an Hour

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.

24 Characters
15 M, 9 W, 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 [W] 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 [W] 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 [W] 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 [W]
A Messenger [W]
A Gentlewoman [W]
Lords and Ladies to fill out the court scenes.

Subgenres
Shakespeare

Settings
16th Century / Elizabethan

Dress
Fantasy costumes Period costumes

Audience
Pre-teen Teen

Features
Variable Cast Size Tableau Masks Opportunity for spectacle Dance Character study Stage combat Variable gender breakdown

Set
Simple set

Cautions
Adult themes Onstage murder

Themes
Betrayal Death Illness/Health Love Parenting/Family Individuality Obedience Morality Revenge Personal responsibility Self-image

Cross-Curricular Uses
Shakespeare

Other uses
Competition Monologues Audition material Class work Scene work

Prop List

Letter, packet of letters, masks, crown, poison, recorder, swords, knife, flowers, shovels, skull, cup, jug of wine, pearl

Multimedia
We accept orders worldwide using the following payment methods:
Purchase Orders accepted from US and Canadian Schools.
Info for your purchasing department.

Not sure what you need to order? Check out our pricing and ordering guide.

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.

Related Titles

We accept orders worldwide using the following payment methods:
Purchase Orders accepted from US and Canadian Schools.
Info for your purchasing department.

A vignette play is a collection of short scenes on a theme. You'll love working with the variety and flexibility of the scenes. Your actors will love the fast pace and fun characters.

There's more. Every Theatrefolk vignette play holds the unexpected. A showcase monologue. A dramatic moment. A change in form. A left turn.

Ideal for classwork, competitions, and more!

To get a quote, close this popup, then click on the Add to Cart button.

Follow the check-out procedure.

When you get to the payment page you will be given the option of specifying that you are requesting a quote and not placing an order.

Complete the check-out process and you will receive a formal written quote within one business day.

Get On the List!

If you teach theatre you really want to get on our email list. You’ll learn all about our latest giveaways, resources, and products for theatre teachers.