An Interview with Hamlet

ImprovEd Shakespeare’s Hamlet

A Girl Named Hamlet

I managed to catch up with one of the ImprovEd Shakespeare Players this past weekend. Perched on her couch, I had a great view of pigeons while we discussed life, Hamlet and… pigeons.

Shakespeare: There’s a line in the play, “You can’t play Hamlet, you’re a girl!” How do you feel about the lack of female roles in Shakespeare’s plays?

Hamlet: I think there should be way more. Well, sure, girls weren’t allowed on stage back then, but nowadays there are so many more girl actors than boy actors. And we girls don’t want to play boys, which is why we switched the sexes in Hamlet.

Shakespeare: Do you think the character of Hamlet could really be female?

Hamlet: Definitely. I mean, I know I wouldn’t be that crazy to go ‘I don’t know who’s behind this curtain, but you possibly, well you might be Queen Claudia, so I’m gonna stab you just in case,’ but that doesn’t mean other girls wouldn’t do that.

Shakespeare: The ImprovEd Shakespeare’s Hamlet is mixed with modern narration, do you think that makes it easier for younger kids to understand the story?

Hamlet: Yes, totally. Shakespeare can be really hard to understand and the modern narration helps to explain the story so you can understand the Shakespearean verse.

Shakespeare: Do the Players come up with the modern narration?

Hamlet: No, we don’t. We don’t have to say the exact lines, we are allowed to improv or ad lib if we want, but we do have to get the gist of the scene across.

Shakespeare: What does a modern Girl Named Hamlet do in your spare time?

Hamlet: I love to read fantasy novels. I also like to finger knit and cuddle my dog. I’m also a great blocker in the Jr. Rollergirls league. And I’ve started my own White Dove Release business.

Shakespeare: Yeah, tell me about the pigeons.

Hamlet: They’re homing pigeons, which means they’ll come home. Normal city pigeons fly about 40 mph, but these racing pigeons fly 60-65 mph. So they can get home really quickly from your wedding or birthday party… hint, hint.

Shakespeare: That’s great! Well, thanks for talking with me.

Hamlet: Thank YOU! It was really fun!