A vain, pompous buffoon who doesn’t know when to go: How Shakespeare’s grudge destroyed the kingdom he once ruled …
A former king with a lust for revenge is about to murder the entire cast of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet – and a new comedy at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe seeks to discover what has driven him to contemplate this brutal tragic killing spree.
Hamlet’s father’s ghostly return from the grave leaves a string of stabbed, drowned, and poisoned corpses of his family and friends – but Shakespeare never tells us why the dead king makes the fatal mistake that leads to the death of his brother, ex-wife, son, and chief advisor, among others.
Fortunately, Waiting for Hamlet, at the Space Triplex throughout August, does. It’s because he’s a vain, pompous buffoon who doesn’t know when it’s time to lie down and die.
Accompanied only by his Fool Yorick, the King plots revenge for his foul and most unnatural murder. Can Yorick stop him making the biggest mistake of his afterlife?
Waiting for Hamlet imposes itself on the public of the Edinburgh between August 6 and August 26.
Two east of Scotland treasures will host a series of outdoor theatre performances, allowing visitors to enjoy both Shakespeare beneath the stars and the classic Treasure Island.
This summer, the National Trust for Scotland is hosting outdoor theatre and music shows at a number of their properties across the country, including Falkland Palace in Fife and Newhailes near Edinburgh.
Families and theatre lovers are invited to bring their blankets and chairs and enjoy the open air shows, set within the gardens and grounds of two of Scotland’s iconic properties.
Fans of Shakespeare can see Henry V at Falkland Palace on Sunday 15 August. Against the dramatic backdrop of one of the former homes of Mary Queen of Scots, the stirring tale of the charismatic king will be brought to life over a summer’s evening.
The Palladian country house of Newhailes will host The Tempest on Saturday 17 July and a production of Treasure Island on 21 July, will see pirates descend on the Musselburgh estate.
Open-air theatre goers are encouraged to bring blankets, rugs and picnics along to enjoy the alfresco entertainment.
All events can be booked through each of the individual properties on the National Trust for Scotland website at www.nts.org.uk
All events have been prepared to be as safe as possible and will follow COVID-19 guidelines and safety measures. The National Trust for Scotland is urging anyone planning to visit the events to check the latest government guidance around COVID-19 restrictions.
LISTINGS
Falkland Palace
Shakespeare’s Henry V at Falkland Palace & Garden Date: Sunday 15 August
Time: 7pm
Festival Players International bring you Shakespeare’s most popular history play: Henry V.
After a rebellious and spirited youth, carousing in the taverns of London, Prince Hal takes on the responsibility of kingship and leads his troops across the Channel to do battle with the French at Agincourt. Follow the charismatic King Henry V in this stirring tale of leadership, bravery, humour and love; two hours of exhilarating entertainment for a summer’s evening!
An unusual troupe of well-travelled travelling players will perform Shakespeare at Lauriston Castle this weekend. On Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July The HandleBards, a four-strong, all-male troupe of travelling players, will perform Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night as part of a cycling tour of Britain that will see the group pass through 25 venues across Scotland and England.
Beginning at Glasgow’s Riverside Museum and finishing up at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, which recently hosted its 100th Chelsea Flower Show, The HandleBards will also perform at The Dell in Stratford-upon-Avon (the Royal Shakespeare Company’s outdoor playing space) Bolton and Newark castles and Rufford Old Hall in Lancashire, where Shakespeare himself performed in 1585.
As part the challenge, The HandleBards, who are supported by the Old Vic Theatre, will carry all the required set, props, costumes and camping equipment necessary for the 926 mile journey on their bikes, with no back-up vehicle in support – covering a distance equivalent to that between Land’s End and John o’ Groats.
The four HandleBards will play multiple characters in each 1930s-set play, fully engaging showgoers with some unusually energetic audience interaction. So grab your picnic blanket and head down to Lauriston Castle to enjoy this enthusiastic and engaging show, with some special music thrown in too!
Tickets are £10 (£8 concessions) – find more details on how to book on the Edinburgh Museums website.
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