Hamlet

What is it about this play, so apparently simple in its premise, that makes it so endlessly engaging to anyone in any era, anywhere? Why have generations of theatre-makers and their audiences over four centuries been so obsessed with The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke by William Shakespeare? It seems to trigger, like the Greek tragedies of the ancient world, a profound sense of identification. In any event, it always presents an irresistible challenge. It has the most famous speeches in all of dramatic literature! It contains the most identifiable dilemmas – a grumpy step-son, an over-hasty marriage, and a government that wields much power and control over its citizens, to name just a few. Add to the mix a very angry ghost, a love affair that is on the rocks, a bunch of rebellious youth, and a territorial dispute…..well, one can be anywhere. Even that old ghost can seem to belong to the world of Hamlet.