Bell Shakespeare's Hamlet

Off the back of directing the critically acclaimed, award winning Henry V for Bell Shakespeare in 2014, Damien Ryan will deliver a new production of Hamlet, one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies at Griffith Regional Theatre on Thursday 8 October, 7.30pm.

Hamlet is a detailed family portrait in the political landscape of a “rotten” Denmark, a country furiously preparing for war, not realising that the enemy lies within.

Hamlet is a young man cast in an unfamiliar role in a story he never expected to tell. Deeply saddened by the sudden death of his father, he is further shocked to find his mother quickly remarried to his uncle, the dead king's brother.

Haunted by his mother’s perceived crime, Hamlet is a mass of contradictions and a modern anti-hero. He is at once vulgar, misogynist and cruel while being overwhelmed by insecurities and indecision. He stands before us and speaks the truth, confronting us with just how fragile our ideals of family, love, community, loyalty, faithfulness and the courage to ‘act’ can be.

Manager Griffith Regional Theatre and Art Gallery, Sarah Boon said Hamlet is the play about everything: death, life; sex, love; revenge and punishment; ambition, power, war and conquest; fathers, mothers, sons, daughters; heaven, hell and in between; friendship; fate.

“Hamlet is such an interesting and riveting story: anguish, passion and desperation collide in an incredible production which makes the story fresh, accessible and relevant,” said Mrs Boon.

“Hamlet is one of the most complete experiences theatre can provide and Shakespeare casts his spell through the sheer scope and grandeur of this story - beginning with a dead man walking and ending with a stage littered with bodies.”

Advance purchase ticket price of $25 ends October 1, 5pm. Tickets are available online at www.griffithregionaltheatre.com.au or by calling the Box Office on 6962 8444.