Shreds and Patches
by Robert Wing
A re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
About 35 minutes
Times given are approximate and do not include intermissions/scene changes/breaks
8
4 M | 2 W | 2 Any Gender
Simple set
26 pages
In addition to traditional live stage performance rights, Shreds and Patches can also be performed under the following scenarios.
Virtual Performance
A Virtual Performance is a performance on an online web conferencing platform such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, or Google Meets where performers are geographically isolated from one another and not together on a stage.
No audience is physically present with the performers. The audience is logged in to the same web conferencing platform as the performers.
Each time the play is performed for a virtual audience of any size (whether or not admission is charged) constitutes one performance.
Livestream Performance
Productions of Shreds and Patches may be Livestreamed.
All Livestream Performances must be conducted through our Authorized Streaming Partner, BookTix. Please contact BookTix at info@booktix.com for more information about Livestreaming.
A Livestream Performance is a traditional performance that is livestreamed to the Internet as the actors are performing. Instead of watching the show live in the theatre, the audience watches virtually from their home or other location.
All Livestream Performances must be conducted through our Authorized Streaming Partner, BookTix. Please contact BookTix at info@booktix.com for more information about Livestreaming.
A Livestream Performance may be pre-recorded. Recordings for pre-recorded Livestreams may be made if the recording is destroyed at the conclusion of the production. Should the producing organization want to retain the recording for archival purposes, they must purchase a separate Videorecording License from Theatrefolk.
Theatrefolk charges no additional fees for permission to Livestream. However, BookTix will charge nominal fees to the producing organization. Theatrefolk does not have any financial interest in BookTix and does not receive any commission or fees from BookTix.
Theatrefolk cannot be held responsible for any issues, technical, financial, legal, or otherwise, arising from the producing organization’s relationship with BookTix.
Each time the show is Livestreamed (whether performed live or pre-recorded) constitutes one performance.
One license, three ways to use it
Each royalty you purchase can be used as a Traditional Live Stage Performance, Virtual Performance, or Livestream Performance. How you choose to use your performance license is up to you! Performances need not all be of the same type so long as the total number of performances given does not exceed the total number of performances ordered.
How to Order
Click on the red "Add to Cart" button, then select "A Production"
Shreds and Patches is a re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The location is a “wellness facility” for disturbed teens. Dane, our anti-hero, confronts his bullying step-father and self-centered mother with the help of his fellow patients and Dr. Osric. Will Dane be able to get through to his mother about “the king of shreds and patches” or will he be left in the dark?
The play fuses Shakespearean speech with modern dialogue, reinforcing the notion that the teens and adults speak different languages. An excellent easy-to-stage competition piece!
Characters
8
4 Men, 2 Women, 2 Any Gender
- MR. KING [M]
- aka Claude. A bully, through and through. He takes what he wants.
- DR. OSRIC [A]
- Possesses a special relationship with her/his patients; still young, she/he has complete faith in her/his patients—and pride in how well they have worked together to arrive at the truth. She/He believes Hamlet completely.
- MRS. KING [W]
- aka Gertrude. A self-centered and hedonistic woman who has made her son’s depression all about her.
- HAMLET/DANE [M]
- The son of Gertrude King; the nephew/stepson of Claude King. Spurred on and supported by Dr. Osric and his fellow patients at the Elsinore Youth Wellness Facility, he confronts his indulgent mother and murderous uncle/ stepfather.
- OPHELIA [W]
- Though she frequently acts as the “peacekeeper,” she is not opposed to provoking Mr. King. Ophelia is one of a couple; she is always on the lap of, draped on, or within reaching distance of Marcellus.
- MARCELLUS [M]
- Marcellus is sweet to his girl, Ophelia, and faithful to his friend, Hamlet. Yorick drives him crazy, but his “slugs” don’t really hurt. In fact, he bristles when Mr. King goes after Yorick. The way Marcellus sees it, Yorick is family— and he has his Yorick’s back.
- HORATIO [A]
- Hamlet’s closest friend at Elsinore. He/She has been there for Hamlet over the past few weeks, knows what Mr. King has done, and wants to make him squirm.
- YORICK [M]
- Yorick uses humor as a defense mechanism—and it doesn’t always work. He is exasperating, but loved.
- Subgenres
- Adaptation Avant-garde Experimental form Character study
- Settings
- Abstract setting Present day
- Dress
- Contemporary costumes
- Audience
- Teen
- Features
- Mime Poetry Tableau Character study Physical comedy
- Set
- Simple set Interior set
- Themes
- Adolescence Friendship Illness/Health Disability Individuality Morality Obedience Relationships Self-image
- Cross-Curricular Uses
- Shakespeare
- Other uses
- Competition Audition material Class work Scene work
Prop List
Phone, coat, pen, checkbook
Related Titles
Purchase Orders accepted from US and Canadian Schools.
Info for your purchasing department.
All others must pay at the time of ordering.
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.
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About 35 minutes
Times given are approximate and do not include intermissions/scene changes/breaks
8
4 M | 2 W | 2 Any Gender
Simple set
26 pages