Stage Door News

Stratford: “Hamlet-911” by Ann-Marie MacDonald begins performances July 28

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Hamlet-911, a brand new play by famed Canadian author Ann-Marie MacDonald, begins previews at the Stratford Festival’s Studio Theatre on Thursday, July 28.

Directed by Alisa Palmer, this world première commissioned by the Stratford Festival is brought to life with set design by Jung-Hye Kim, costume design by Ming Wong, lighting design by Leigh Ann Vardy, composition and sound design by Chris Ross-Ewart and video and projection design by HAUI.

Hamlet-911 brings us into the life of fictional actor Guinness Menzies who has landed his dream role of Hamlet at the Stratford Festival. But just before a matinée performance, he suddenly finds himself in the Underworld, a strange realm as frightening as it is hilarious, where time is seriously out of joint. Has he gone mad? Is he dreaming? Has he died? Meanwhile, teenager Jeremy attempts to reach out to Guinness online as he wrestles with his own version of Hamlet’s famous life-or-death dilemma.

This production features Mike Shara as Guinness Menzies, Sarah Dodd as Jessica, Andrew Iles as Jeremy,Amelia Sargisson as Sue, Scott Wentworth as Rex, Gordon Patrick White as Yorick and Micah Woods as Danny, with Eva Foote as Jenna and Jacklyn Francis as Rosemary. Also in the cast are Tat Austrie, Emily Birrell, Quinlan Bolton, Brooke Browne, Dhanish Kumar Chinniah, Richard Comeau, Samantha Guzzo,Micah Kalap, Caitlin Kelly, Wahsonti:io Kirby, Qianna MacGilchrist, Beatrice McBoyle, Chris Mejaki,Abby Renner, Antonette Rudder and Lucas Way.

“Our play lives in a world where, to quote Shakespeare, ‘the truth will out.’ By hook or by crook, by rope or by joke,” says Palmer. “And, the truth makes demands; it calls upon us to give – often without being thanked or recognized. The truth challenges us to grow up enough to care about those who come after us.”

This production is dedicated to the memory of actor and civil rights activist Shirley Douglas, a member of the acting company in 1989 and 1990.

 Hamlet-911 has its opening on August 25 and runs until October 2. For tickets and information visit www.stratfordfestival.ca or call 1.800.567.1600.

Production support is generously provided by the Harkins & Manning families in memory of Jim & Susan Harkins.

Support for the creation of Hamlet-911 is generously provided by The Foerster Bernstein New Play Development Program.

The 2022 season runs until October 30, featuring Hamlet, Chicago, The Miser, Little Women, Richard III, All’s Well That Ends Well, Death and the King’s Horseman, Every Little Nookie, Hamlet-911 and 1939.

Photo: Andrew Iles, Mike Shara and Gordon Patrick White.  2022 David Hou.