Theatrefolk - The Drama Teacher Resource Company
Hamlette

Production Tips for
Hamlette

by Allison Williams

Imagine if you will that "Hamlet" was not "Hamlet" at all, but "Hamlette" - a woman!

This play is a twisty-turny interpretation of the classic Danish tale. Why spend four hours telling the story when five actors can get the job done in thirty minutes?

Great for competitions. Elsinore has never been this funny!

Comedy Classical Adaptation Shakespeare Student Directors

Average Producer Rating:

Tips from the Author

Hamlette imagines a world where Hamlet is played by a girl instead of a guy among other variations of the story. In order for your students to understand exactly what they’re playing and to find the comedy in that understanding, make sure students know the original source material. What’s the original relationship between Hamlet and Horatio and how has Allison skewed that relationship? What are the similarities and differences between Claudius in the original and Claudius in Hamlette? The more students understand they more they’ll be able to bring this comedy to life.

Use a rack or table on stage for props. Or use Chinese-style stagehands, and have students dressed neutrally hand off props at exactly the right moments. You could do a bigger Laertes-Ophelia costume change like this, and make it a comic bit, too. If so, it's OK to add these lines:

Who are you?
I'm a theatrical conceit.

Or similar, 

Who are you? I needed another half-credit to join Thespians
Who are you? I'm just avoiding going home.
Who are you? Dad said I had to do an activity or get a job. (hands over rubber chicken) Would you like fries with that? 

Take the time to go over the Shakespearean text moments, and stage them as seriously as you'd work on a regular Shakespeare play. The comedy comes out even more when there's straight moments to contrast

Slow down on the Shakespeare lines and over-enunciate them a bit to make sure the audience gets the transition from modern language to the original text. Make sure your punchlines are clear, too! Get someone who doesn’t know the script to sit in on a late rehearsal and tell you what words they can’t make out.

Tips from past Producers

Make sure your students/cast understand the difference between the roles of the 'players' and the characters they play. This can also be carried through in a similar fashion to the dialogue as it changes from modern day to Shakespearean.

Enjoy a Front Row Seat to Our Newsletter!

Subscribe for our exciting updates, insights, teaching resources, and new script releases. Plus, sign up now and get 4 plays and 2 lesson plans for FREE!

Theatrefolk - The Drama Teacher Resource Company
Theatrefolk is the Drama Teacher Resource Company. We are your one stop shop for Plays, Resources, and Curriculum Support - all specifically designed for High School and Middle School drama teachers.
Follow Us!
Drama Teacher Academy
Copyright © 1995-2024