Hamlet On The Beach is a response to the likely challenges small scale theatre makers will face over the next few years when jobs, investors, commercial producers, and theatre venues where the public will feel safe, are likely to be in short supply. Unusually the show has no formal producer and is a co-production between all the artists involved, taking joint decisions and responsibility collectively.
A socially distanced audience will watch a dynamic new version of Shakespeare’s masterpiece from a sandbank, at twilight, during low tides along the Thames riverbank.
Performances will take place at various dates, times and locations through August and September 2020 including family friendly matinees.
Conceived for both regular audiences and those experiencing Shakespeare and theatre for the first time, this one act, movie-length adaptation of Hamlet moves swiftly between the legendary moments; utilising the historic and atmospheric setting to create a lively, relaxed and accessible version of the most celebrated play ever written.
CAST: Samuel Oakes (Hamlet) Helen Potter (Ophelia) Chris Laishley (Claudius) Virge Gilchrist (Gertrude) Will Forester (Ghost) and Jack Donald (Laertes)
Audiences meet at a registration point to comply with track and trace regulations. From there they’ll be directed to the night’s performance site and invited to socially distance, wearing masks, around the action, by the water’s edge. A sandbank allows for sitting on beach blankets and yoga mats brought from home, whilst remaining socially distanced from other households.
This unique project has been conceived by Phil Willmott who has 17 years experience of creating free, multi-award winning theatre specifically designed to attract first time theatre goers to relaxed, accessible and memorable productions.
Phil Willmott says: Amidst the current crisis, isolation and anxiety there was no way I wasn’t going to fight to bring people safely together, to look up from their screens, and experience the power of live performance as a shared experience. I am thrilled to have been able to team up with such an exceptional group of theatre artists as co-producers.
Every August for nearly two decades I’ve put on a piece of free theatre to give back to the city I call home and introduce newcomers to the art form I love. Despite considerable obstacles we are determined that this summer will be no exception.
Schedule, locations, and Covid-19 protocol available here.
