Set: The bare stage of a village hall, anywhere.
Synopsis: An amateur actor auditions for the lead role in a local production of Hamlet. There is some fun to be had as the director puts him through his acting paces, but
slowly we learn that the actor has more in common with the Prince of Denmark than meets the eye...
Running time: Around 45 minutes (Caution! This is very dependent on your production.)
Notes: 'It's always a challenge to write a two-man play but writing 'I Am Hamlet' was perhaps the most fun I've ever had at a keyboard. That may be because it includes both my
passion for Shakespeare and the slow unfolding of a mystery at its heart. Just who is Simon Prentice and what does he want with Tom, the hapless director?
This play was deliberately written to accommodate any stage, anywhere and the furnishings and effects have been left as sparse as possible to aid in its presentation. That's
not to say it's a piece of cake to stage, though, as the audience's attention will be cast solely on the characters, the situation they find themselves in and the actors that play
them ...'
Published: 2009
First Produced: Utah State University, 2009
Latest Production: One Nighters, Wisconsin, USA, 2011
SAMPLE SCENE
Simon: Will I have to wear tights?
Tom: Er, no. My Hamlet's going to be modern dress.
Simon: Dress?
Tom: No tights.
Simon: Good.
Tom: Do you know the play?
Simon: I've seen the film.
Tom: Branagh?
Simon: The Lion King. It's based on Hamlet.
Tom: I see. Do you have a copy?
Simon: I've got the DVD if you want to borrow it.
Tom: Not the Lion King.
Synopsis: An amateur actor auditions for the lead role in a local production of Hamlet. There is some fun to be had as the director puts him through his acting paces, but
slowly we learn that the actor has more in common with the Prince of Denmark than meets the eye...
Running time: Around 45 minutes (Caution! This is very dependent on your production.)
Notes: 'It's always a challenge to write a two-man play but writing 'I Am Hamlet' was perhaps the most fun I've ever had at a keyboard. That may be because it includes both my
passion for Shakespeare and the slow unfolding of a mystery at its heart. Just who is Simon Prentice and what does he want with Tom, the hapless director?
This play was deliberately written to accommodate any stage, anywhere and the furnishings and effects have been left as sparse as possible to aid in its presentation. That's
not to say it's a piece of cake to stage, though, as the audience's attention will be cast solely on the characters, the situation they find themselves in and the actors that play
them ...'
Published: 2009
First Produced: Utah State University, 2009
Latest Production: One Nighters, Wisconsin, USA, 2011
SAMPLE SCENE
Simon: Will I have to wear tights?
Tom: Er, no. My Hamlet's going to be modern dress.
Simon: Dress?
Tom: No tights.
Simon: Good.
Tom: Do you know the play?
Simon: I've seen the film.
Tom: Branagh?
Simon: The Lion King. It's based on Hamlet.
Tom: I see. Do you have a copy?
Simon: I've got the DVD if you want to borrow it.
Tom: Not the Lion King.
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I AM HAMLET (Click the title to read the whole script online at Lazy Bee Scripts)
WINNER, PORTREE ADS, WAKEFIELD QUAICH AWARD FOR PRESENTATION, SCOTTISH ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL,
2011
'A very good one act play. It is clever and witty and with the right performers it would make a great festival piece' Amateur
Stage Magazine
'We enjoyed the humour and quick banter shared between a director and an auditionee that ends up in a nasty surprise'
Utah State University, USA
'Enough atmosphere to make the hair on your neck and arms stand up!' Thurso Players, Scotland
Cast: 2m
TOM GRAINGER, 40s. Member of an amateur theatre company and director of their latest production, Hamlet.
SIMON PRENTICE, early 30s. A rather belligerent man who auditions for the title role, but has ulterior motives.
WINNER, PORTREE ADS, WAKEFIELD QUAICH AWARD FOR PRESENTATION, SCOTTISH ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL,
2011
'A very good one act play. It is clever and witty and with the right performers it would make a great festival piece' Amateur
Stage Magazine
'We enjoyed the humour and quick banter shared between a director and an auditionee that ends up in a nasty surprise'
Utah State University, USA
'Enough atmosphere to make the hair on your neck and arms stand up!' Thurso Players, Scotland
Cast: 2m
TOM GRAINGER, 40s. Member of an amateur theatre company and director of their latest production, Hamlet.
SIMON PRENTICE, early 30s. A rather belligerent man who auditions for the title role, but has ulterior motives.
Richard James / Actor & Playwright
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I Am Hamlet
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Moving On
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