It’s a ghost story. It’s a mystery. It’s considered one of the greatest plays ever written. The Half Moon Bay Shakespeare Company presents on the Bard’s The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark at Cameron’s Inn & Pub through September 15.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday Saturday and Sunday with 3 p.m. Sunday matinees. Audiences are asked to bring a low lawn chair and dress warmly for all performances. Cameron’s Inn & Pub is located at 1410 Cabrillo Hwy S, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.
Ripe with deceit, murder, madness moral corruption, Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark opens
Setting the stage in early part of the nineteenth century director Robert Pickett has assembled diverse local players to take on Shakespeare’s cast of characters that are rife with deceit, murder, madness and moral corruption.
Shakespeare’s plot is simple. Hamlet is heir to the throne of Denmark. When he returns from an extended trip, Prince Hamlet finds his father, the king, murdered and his mother married to his uncle who has claimed the throne. Visible only to the night guards, Hamlet and his best friend, Horatio, King Hamlet’s ghost wanders the palace.
Prince Hamlet wrestles with his conscience on how to avenge his father’s murder. By the end, misfortune, mixed up poison swords and cups of poisoned wine kill everyone in the royal family.
Based on historical record, Hamlet recounts an incestuous marriage and murder in the Royal House of Denmark in the Dark Ages, as told in the Legend of Amleth, and chronicled by Saxo Grammaticus, a 13th century writer. When audiences first experienced the play, between 1600 and 1602, written for and starring Richard Burbage, they knew of this royal plot of brother to kill brother and claim the throne.
Collin Wenzell will play Prince Hamlet, and Doug Mallon takes on the murderous Claudius. Queen Gertrude will be performed by Bobbi J. Fagone. Hamlet’s best friend, Horatio, will be played by Justin Chao. Ophelia will be played by Julia Thollaug.
Tickets are $15 to $20 plus a non-perishable food item Advance tickets are available at Coastside Books, 432 Main Street, Half Moon Bay and online at hmbshakespeare.org. Food donations benefit the local food bank at Coastside Hope, P.O. Box 112 HMB, CA 94019 .
For more information, email halfmoonbayshakes@gmail.com.
