On a foggy night, in the mists of Denmark, a ghost appears to speak with Hamlet, the Prince. It is his father, who speaks of murder most foul. "Avenge me!" he cries.
Hamlet appears to speak with Ophelia, but he behaves like a madman and terrifies her.
Polonius, Ophelia's father, goes to speak with Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, but when he hears Hamlet approaching, he hides behind a curtain -- and thus seals his tragic fate.
Her own madness made worse by the cruel murder of her father by the man she loves, Ophelia is moved to suicide and throws herself in the river to drown. When news of these deaths reaches Laertes, son of Polonius and loving brother of Ophelia, he returns to seek revenge.
Hamlet happens upon the burial of the mad jester, Yorick. "Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio." Soon thereafter, he learns of Ophelia's death.
Hamlet ponders the age-old question.
In the end it comes down to swords and treachery in the form of poisoned drinks and daggers. Horatio alone will live to tell the tale.
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Comments: 98
You might consider getting a new screenwriter.
Bart, they did the best they could; they didn't want to confuse the audience.
Ina, I hope my Kevin is laughing, too.
I actually have an intense desire to clip this.
Kevin! Yay!
The royal crowns are too cute... Ophelia's lei (flowers) tickled me as much as the cocktail sticks (swords).
Are you taking it off, off Broadway?
Dannielle you are an inspired lady! Keep those hedgies coming.
Duckie, I cannot resist a pun, and the visual ones are the best. You might be the only one who grasped the flowers' suggestion, though; it was a little obscure -- better for the kiddies, that way, though.
I'm not sure who or what primed me today to see scorpions where there are none. (Actually, there are several candidates, but that's a different story.)
Also, I liked the little skull. Thank you for getting the Yorick quote correct. I'm sick of reading, "Alas, poor Yorick. I knew him well."
You ever seen Rosencrantz and Gildenstern Are Dead? Great movie (and play). Not half as funny if you don't know Hamlet really well, though.
They'd like the pictures, too.
The audience is still applauding for the actors and the producer to step forward once more.
A unique performance.
This could be put into a video with MovieMaker.
I want to look closer, I missed a few details earlier...
- like the use of white sheer fabric for the ghost of Hamlet's father,
- the silver strips for the lightning bolt against the sky ( what did you use?)
- the rich brown brocade for stage curtains
- the strips of clear plastic over Ophelia to show her, drowning in the textured river fabric, the brown banks.
- that plastic skull for Yorick
- those mini cups and wine jug for the poison... the royal purple tablecloth...
Everything has significance! I am bowled all over again!
This is only the second time I have read Shakespeare. It's better this way!
I cracked up at the ghost and didn't stop throughout!
There's a divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them how we will.
~Hamlet, Act V, scene ii
The ghost of King Hamlet is killing me!
(See what I get for coming back here? There's an ad skating across my screen.)
You really do need to do a series of children's books with the Hedgies.
Still, I found the acting refreshing. True family faire with a touch of humor added in for the adults. Bugs Bunny would have been proud!
In code, I would have to say, "Gooby Gooby Hak!"
I love the ghost, and the drowned Ophelia... I love the whole thing. Can we have King Lear? Or maybe Macbeth?
When is the next production?
(It's a long thread -- I have to scroll back up to see if there are questions I need to answer...)
Dorine, Duckie, and Elizabeth E.: there are no plans for a traveling show at this time, but we'll keep you informed if this changes.
Also, Duckie:
- the blue of the water is my scarf, with an overlaid strip of saran wrap to simulate water.
- the brocade fabric is actually an old smoking jacket
- the "lightning bolt" was made from snippets of shiny gold ribbon
- the skull is one of my Halloween earrings.
Re: NOoC recommendations -- I have heard of both shows you mention but have not yet had the chance to see them; I will actively seek them out, now!
To Rod S: quzzittle zebonk rangtangy pang-pang
And, for those who inquired: I have no idea what the hedgehogs will do next. They have several projects in the works, but I never know what to expect. I'm just the photographer.
...encore...encore.
Marilee, you're right: Ophelia is haunting here, isn't she?
As it is, they already feel that in their time as entities on this site they have already effectively presented Much Ado About Nothing.
Nobody has mentioned Polonius cleverly hidden behind the curtain, but that was always the passage in the play that stuck with me. Portly Polonius, hiding behind a wall tapestry -- how on earth did he think he'd be missed?
Go figure!
I talk to myself continually, but when I do it, I don't want anyone to hear what I say. Do you think someone, as for instance, Shakespeare's modern counterpart, might one day overhear some worthless little lic of conversation that I am having with myself, write it down and turn it into a soliloque in a play. Then, what ordinarily would have been regarded as a chat with myself, the worthless rantings of yet another individual victimized by the big brother mentality of the modern world, would be turned into one of the most famous little parts of one of the most famous plays ever written.
This is the first time, I was able to make heads or tails of the story of Hamlet. Thank you for enlightening me. You are truly skilled at giving those who are less apt to understand complicated literature, an opportunity to appreciate it.
Ok, now that I am finished rolling on the floor with laughter....Girl, you have waaaayyyy to much time on your hands...too funny....and quite creative to boot!!!!
Good pun!
The two bee's threw me for a minute because I couldn't make out what they were until I read some one's comment up near the start of this thread.
Wurdz's link was also a bonus find!
If memory serves me correctly, Hamlet's famous soliloquy precedes the death of Ophelia.
And, did I miss the definition of the Hedgehog PAC?
the hedgehogs have founded a Political Action Committee?
Are they running misleading attack ads during this election cycle?
So much to follow.
We decided that, had Shakespeare intended Hamlet to be a photo essay featuring hedgehogs (surely he would have done, if he had a camera!) he would have saved the best gag for last.
I *really* needed a good laugh!
Still one of your most outstanding posts to date, involving the hedgies.
Java says hi, and is glad the sun isn't shining so hard in the windshield now that fall has arrived!
Love you!
-$kacy$-
Peter Joseph Swanson of the creatively-changing icon, we are glad to have entertained you here. We're not sure another show is possible, now that Astro (green hedgehog) has left the fold. We'll see.
THe Hedgies on video! Only $19.99 (plus shipping and handling)
Place your orders now!
Only a limited supply will be available in Spring, when classes cease.
Like the commemorative coins, these videos will be collecors' items in only a short period of time!
Order yours today!
dubyah, dubyah, dubyah, dot, hedgiesonline, dot, comedy
or call
eight-six-seven-five, three-oh-nine...ask for 'jenny'
Dear girl, you are a riot! This is amazing, whacky and perfect for a children's story book..or just a bed time story -play!
Your sense of humor and perfect stage props have made me laugh at this tragic comic presentation!!!!
I'm not sure there will be any more Shakespeare work here; the hedgehogs are hibernating.
LMAO! Great stuff!
I'm working on learning how to create a video, using stop-action photography. It won't be another Shakespearean endeavor, but it will be a new hedgehog experience.
Stop Action filming would be great, Dannielle. It is very time-consuming, however.
Another reason to like Dave A.