HAMLET: Plays in Process
Seattle Rep presents an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at their forthcoming production of HAMLET by William Shakespeare on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. as part of their Plays in Process series. Librarians at Seattle Public Library created this list of books and films to enhance your experience of this program.
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Nutshell
McEwan's highly original take on the HAMLET story locates our narrator in an unexpected locale -- his mother Trudy's womb, where he can overhear her and his uncle Claude's murderous plot, but is helpless to do anything about it. Or is he?
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Hamnet
Some scholars believe HAMLET was inspired in part by the early death of Shakespeare's son Hamnet (a synonym for Hamlet). This moving historical novel imagines Hamnet's brief life and his parents' courtship and early relationship.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Ophelia
Based on the 2008 teen novel of the same name, this 2018 film follows the story of HAMLET from Ophelia's perspective, starring Daisy Ridley in the title role.
Format: DVD
Availability: Available
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Richard Burton's Hamlet
This noted 1964 production of HAMLET starred Richard Burton in the title role, performing in a "rehearsal setting" and not period costume. The film was edited from three different live performances of the hugely popular Broadway run.
Format: Streaming Video
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I Hate Hamlet
Rudnick's 1991 comedy centers on the dilemma of actor Andrew Rally -- should he pursue a lifelong dream to play HAMLET or stick with his more lucrative television gig? The ghost of John Barrymore makes a convincing case for the former.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Shakespeare's Hamlet
The first HAMLET shot in color, this 1969 British film adaptation directed by Tony Richardson stars Nicol Williamson as Hamlet and Marianne Faithfull as Ophelia.
Format: DVD
Availability: Available
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Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead
Stoppard's absurdist tragicomedy focuses on two minor characters from HAMLET, the courtiers Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, revisiting major parts of the action from their perspectives.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Strange Brew
Believe it or not, this cult classic comedy is in fact loosely based on elements of HAMLET. One tip-off for savvy viewers: the brewery at the center of the action is named after Elsinore Castle.
Format: DVD
Availability: All copies in use
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Gertrude and Claudius
Updike's sly novel provides a new take on the HAMLET story in this imaginative "prequel" that portrays Gertrude and Claudius' relationship in a more sympathetic light.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
Wroblewski's popular 2008 novel reimagines HAMLET on a Wisconsin farm with a young speech-disabled boy named Edgar who has an affinity for dogs in the role of the young Danish prince.
Format: Book
Availability: All copies in use
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