Men and Women Required for Play "Hamlet"

Prince of Darkness – Hamlet is the son of Queen Gertrude and the late King Hamlet, and the nephew of the present king, Claudius. Hamlet is melancholy, bitter, and cynical, full of hatred for his uncle’s scheming and disgust for his mother’s sexuality. A reflective and thoughtful young man who has studied at the University of Wittenberg.

Ophelia in Hamlet is often described as obedient, innocent, and fragile. She is loyal to her father Polonius and brother Laertes, and her naivety and dependence on the men in her life lead to her tragic downfall. Her emotional vulnerability and eventual madness underscore her delicate and tragic nature.

Brother of Ophelia. Training to be an SAS soldier. Hot headed and younger than Hamlet… Doesn’t like Hamlet for the way hamlet has treated his sister, Ophelia.

A fly boy- in the air-force. Childhood friend of Hamlet. Horatio is motivated by Justice and doing just things, and has Hamlets best interest at heart. Horatio is more of a man of action. Straining to be let of the leash but respects Hamlets position, and will always wait for the go-ahead.

Army buddies of Hamlet from the Wittenberg army base. Blokey, bawdy & Boisterous- Physically rough. Rosencrantz has sadistic streaks. Rosencrantz is also a drug pusher.

Guildenstern is a lot younger. Easily intimidated and manipulated. He is the follower. Has some kind of tick.

A quarter Master. An ex- army man but never saw combat. Claudius hates himself for killing his only brother, but also hated his brother. Claudius felt betrayed when Old King Hamlet stole Gertrude to be his bride when they were young men. Claudius is over protective of Gertrude and jealous and suspicious of anyone who gets close to her.

Dutiful Obedient wife to Claudius. Party animal. Loves her alcohol, drugs and socialising. Self-medicating to take the guilt away and creating a false sense of beautiful. Brittle/fragile veneer. She could break.

Master diplomat (sir Humphrey). Sharp suit, clipped, clean neat. A tactician, a manipulator, Devious. Needs to be 50 +. Plans are good but they may not work. In old days he was old hamlets head of secret service now he’s head of diplomatic relations. Polonius’s over – paranoid about kids getting into trouble….

The Fop. A young clubber. Its all about image and music. On his way to a rave…. Occupied with his music. Self-absorbed…Would rather be somewhere else.

Polonius servant & secretary. Money penny( a james bond) type. Glasses, conservative dress. Efficient and unquestioning. Aspirant for better position. A political animal.

1st grave digger and 2nd gravedigger are like a vaudeville troupe like Laurel and Hardy. 1st Gravedigger is smarter than 2nd gravedigger.

Higher status. They will perform a stand-up comic vaudeville routine.

Voltimand and Cornelius are CIA ops for Claudius. Deep undercover spies. They’re a part of the corruption and abuse of power. Valtemond does all the talking.

Cornelius & Voltimand are CIA ops for Claudius. Deep undercover spies. They’re apart of the corruption and abuse of power. Cornelius is a dog on a leash- but happy about it.

A soldier, regular infantry on guard duty. Strong sense of duty. Intensely loyal to Hamlet and his Father. In charge of the watch.

Is edgy and trigger-happy. Scared by the appearance of the Ghost of Hamlets Father. 3 scenes.

Comes in with Horatio. Nervous and scared of the unknown, but levelheaded. Rank and file man- Takes orders without questioning. He knows his place.

The second gravedigger becomes the Priest and Ophelia’s funeral. Sanctimonious and judgemental about Ophelia’s death/ Suicide. He only shuts up when Laertes bribes him with some cash.

Old style john Gielgud type professional actor, leading a children’s acting troupe.