Hamlet to be staged in city
GLOUCESTER-BASED The Festival Players Theatre Group will bring Hamlet to the Jewry Wall Museum on Monday August 29.
The date is part of a European tour to mark 400 years since Shakespeare’s death.
The gruesome tale of revenge is the Bard’s longest play, and has been compacted to the more manageable and accessible length of two hours.
Michael Dyer, Festival Players’ artistic director, said: “Our shows are an amalgam of energy, entertainment and colour and we aim to make them clear and transparent, as well as keeping them short for the comfort of our patrons.
“We set to take audiences of all ages on a journey and make them feel very much part of the production,”
The cast is just six strong, meaning each person must play multiple roles as well as go through several costume changes.
It is also Dyer’s 12th all-male production, something which he believes adds “authenticity” as it is following in the footsteps of Shakespeare’s own Globe Theatre when all roles were taken by men.
The lead role of Hamlet will be player by Benjamin Way while Mark Spriggs is Claudius.
Joel Daffurn has multiple roles as Laertes, Guildenstern and the First Player as well Paul Mills who will play Polonius, Gravedigger and Second Player.
The relatively small but vitally important part of Hamlet’s father will be taken by Dyer himself.
Newcomers to the company for this performance include Lee Peck as Gertrude and Jonny James-Jones as Ophelia, Rosencrantz and Osric.
The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £13.20 and £12 for concessions. They are available from 0116 253 2569 and from the Guildhall Museum.
As it is an open air performance, patrons are encouraged to bring their own seating and picnics. The ground will be open from 6.30pm on the day and refreshments will be available.
For more information visit www.visitleicester.info/thingsto-see-and-do/arts-museums/ leicestermuseumsevents