Second Thoughts Present Hamlet

The Civic Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7th - 10th March, 2007

I’m looking forward to seeing this show, directed by Estelle Hand. I shall be reviewing the production on Thursday.

In the meantime you might like to read Estelle’s notes:

Why an all female company for Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet?

Fifteen years ago I saw the all female Sphinx Theatre Company perform Hamlet. I was intrigued when watching the play how quickly involvement with the plot overcame any initial novelty of the cross-gender casting. Since then I have hoped to have the opportunity to re-visit this theory in production.

Edward Hall, who recently directed an all male version of The Taming of the Shrew was asked the question, ‘Why don’t you employ women?’ To which he replied. ‘If you want to start an all female Shakespeare Company then do it.’ He further commented, ‘Actors by their nature are pretending to be something they’re not and whether they are pretending to be Hamlet or pretending to be a woman, essentially to me there is no difference.’

Shakespeare, who was denied the participation of women on stage, created many male protagonists with a unique combination of ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ qualities and Hamlet in particular. It is this subtlety of characterization which has drawn many female actors since the 18th century to play the role. Over fifty female Hamlets have been performed. The first was probably Mrs Siddons from 1777 onwards; the most celebrated, Sarah Bernhardt 1899, and the most well-known contemporary portrayal, Frances de la Tour 1979.

Finally, would Shakespeare himself approve of ‘gender bending’ less complicated than in his day his male actors having to impersonate a woman pretending to be a man? I think he would find it now entirely credible, and only fair, to allow women the chance to tell Hamlet’s story upon the stage.