Wed - Feb 3, 2027 - 7:30 PM
Hamlet: The First Edition Featuring Actors from The Drama Studio London
February 3, 2027
The Hamlet we know today comes from versions Shakespeare published in 1604 and 1623. But in 1603, a very different Hamlet appeared in print, also believed to be written by Shakespeare. Shorter, faster, and full of surprises, this earliest surviving version offers a rare chance to experience Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy like never before.
The familiar story of revenge, betrayal, and madness remains, but the action moves faster, the characters take on new dimensions, and the spotlight shifts to a dynamic ensemble. Where did this mysterious version come from? More than 400 years later, scholars are still debating its origins.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company welcomes actors from Drama Studio London for a special international collaboration, bringing this rarely performed version to Cincinnati.
Directed by Jemma Alix Levy
In an exciting international collaboration, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company welcomes actors from London’s prestigious Drama Studio London to the Queen City for this special production of Hamlet: The First Edition. Traveling across the Atlantic to bring this work to life on the Cincy Shakes stage, these talented emerging artists bring a fresh faces and fresh perspective to this rarely performed version of the classic tragedy. This unique partnership celebrates the power of Shakespeare to connect artists and audiences across continents.
The First Quarto is the first published text we have of Hamlet, published in 1603. It varies significantly from the two later texts we have (the Second Quarto (1604) and the First Folio (1623)), which are far more commonly used for production. Scholars argue about where the First Quarto originated: some believe it is a first draft by Shakespeare, some believe it is an edited text for touring, some believe it is a recreation from one or more actors' memories of a performance. Regardless, it is a faster, more active play than the Hamlet we are used to, and far more of an ensemble piece than a star-vehicle. The story remains the same, and some of the language will be familiar, but it is definitely a different experience than what we are used to seeing or reading. Seeing a production of the First Quarto provides an opportunity to think more deeply about the often invisible processes of writing, editing, and rehearsing. It is also a great way to gain a new perspective on a very familiar play.
-Jemma Alix Levy, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Director of Education and Outreach.
