CINXE.COM

Staging Laurence Olivier's Hamlet with vintage paper dolls in a toy theater

<!DOCTYPE html> <html class="no-js" lang="en-US"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta http-equiv="x-ua-compatible" content="ie=edge"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no"> <meta name='robots' content='max-image-preview:large' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//www.folger.edu' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//cdnjs.cloudflare.com' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//images.folger.edu' /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Folger Shakespeare Library &raquo; Hamlet on the (very) small stage Comments Feed" href="https://www.folger.edu/blogs/shakespeare-and-beyond/hamlet-laurence-olivier-toy-theater/feed/" /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-library-css' href='https://www.folger.edu/admin/wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/style.min.css?ver=6.6' type='text/css' media='all' /> <style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> /*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} </style> <style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> :root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} :where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;} :where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;} :root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='audioigniter-css' href='https://www.folger.edu/plugins/audioigniter/player/build/style.css?ver=1.9.0' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='popup-maker-site-css' href='https://www.folger.edu/plugins/popup-maker/assets/css/pum-site.min.css?ver=1.19.0' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='basetheme-css' href='https://www.folger.edu/themes/childtheme/assets/css/main.css?ver=1731663264' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='construkt-ui-accordion-css' href='https://www.folger.edu/plugins/construkt-accordion/src/assets/construkt-accordion.css?ver=1.0.0' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='sib-front-css-css' href='https://www.folger.edu/plugins/mailin/css/mailin-front.css?ver=6.6' type='text/css' media='all' /> <script type="text/javascript" src="//cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.3.1/jquery.min.js?ver=3.3.1" id="jquery-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="jquery-js-after"> /* <![CDATA[ */ window.jQuery || document.write('<script src="https://www.folger.edu/themes/childtheme/static/js/jquery-3.3.1.min.js">\x3C/script>') /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.folger.edu/themes/basetheme/assets/build/js/core.js?ver=1.1.0" id="basetheme-core-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="sib-front-js-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var sibErrMsg = {"invalidMail":"Please fill out valid email address","requiredField":"Please fill out required fields","invalidDateFormat":"Please fill out valid date format","invalidSMSFormat":"Please fill out valid phone number"}; var ajax_sib_front_object = {"ajax_url":"https:\/\/www.folger.edu\/admin\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","ajax_nonce":"a4bd066f1d","flag_url":"https:\/\/www.folger.edu\/plugins\/mailin\/img\/flags\/"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.folger.edu/plugins/mailin/js/mailin-front.js?ver=1713417234" id="sib-front-js-js"></script> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.folger.edu/blogs/shakespeare-and-beyond/hamlet-laurence-olivier-toy-theater/" /> <!-- Title --> <title>Staging Laurence Olivier's Hamlet with vintage paper dolls in a toy theater</title> <!-- Description --> <meta name="description" content="Using cut-out figures and settings, children could re-create scenes from Hamlet, carrying on the tradition of toy theater from stage productions to films."> <!-- Twitter: Post --> <!-- Twitter: Card Size --> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary"/> <!-- Twitter: Site --> <!-- Twitter: Title --> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Staging Laurence Olivier&#039;s Hamlet with vintage paper dolls in a toy theater"/> <!-- Twitter: Description --> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Using cut-out figures and settings, children could re-create scenes from Hamlet, carrying on the tradition of toy theater from stage productions to films."/> <!-- Twitter: Image --> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-assembled-scene.jpg?resize=150%2C150&gravity"/> <!-- Twitter: Archive --> <!-- Facebook: Post --> <!-- Facebook: URL --> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.folger.edu/blogs/shakespeare-and-beyond/hamlet-laurence-olivier-toy-theater/"> <!-- Facebook: Site Name --> <!-- Facebook: Title --> <meta property="og:title" content="Staging Laurence Olivier&#039;s Hamlet with vintage paper dolls in a toy theater"/> <!-- Facebook: Description --> <meta property="og:description" content="Using cut-out figures and settings, children could re-create scenes from Hamlet, carrying on the tradition of toy theater from stage productions to films."/> <!-- Facebook: Image --> <meta property="og:image" content="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-assembled-scene.jpg?resize=150%2C150&gravity"/> <!-- Facebook: Archive --> <!-- Hide From Search Engines --> <!-- Canonical Tag --> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="https://www.folger.edu/static/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="https://www.folger.edu/static/favicon-32x32.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="https://www.folger.edu/static/favicon-16x16.png"> <link rel="manifest" href="https://www.folger.edu/static/site.webmanifest"> <link rel="mask-icon" href="https://www.folger.edu/static/safari-pinned-tab.svg" color="#e03100"> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.folger.edu/static/favicon.ico"> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="Folger"> <meta name="application-name" content="Folger"> <meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#ffffff"> <meta name="msapplication-config" content="https://www.folger.edu/static/browserconfig.xml"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#ffffff"> <!-- Google Tag Manager --><script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-KCPZNF');</script><!-- End Google Tag Manager --> <!-- Hotjar Tracking Code for https://user-testing.folger.edu/ --> <script> (function(h,o,t,j,a,r){ h.hj=h.hj||function(){(h.hj.q=h.hj.q||[]).push(arguments)}; h._hjSettings={hjid:3339591,hjsv:6}; a=o.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]; r=o.createElement('script');r.async=1; r.src=t+h._hjSettings.hjid+j+h._hjSettings.hjsv; a.appendChild(r); })(window,document,'https://static.hotjar.com/c/hotjar-','.js?sv='); </script> </head> <body class="beyond-template-default single single-beyond postid-4466 hamlet-laurence-olivier-toy-theater" data-post-id="4466"> <!-- Google Tag Manager (noscript) --><noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-KCPZNF" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript><!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) --> <a href="#main-content" class="c-btn c-btn--skip-link">Skip to main content</a> <header id="header-navigation" class="c-global-header" role="banner" aria-labelledby="main-nav-header"> <h2 class="u-hidden-visually" id="main-nav-header"> Website navigation </h2> <div class="c-global-header__sections"> <div class="c-global-header__lhs"> <a class="c-global-header__logo-link" href="https://www.folger.edu"> <span class="u-hidden-visually">Folger Shakespeare Library - Home</span> <img class="c-global-header__large-logo" src="https://www.folger.edu/themes/childtheme//assets/images/folger-logo--large.svg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" width="220" height="110" /> <img class="c-global-header__small-logo" src="https://www.folger.edu/themes/childtheme//assets/images/folger-logo--small.svg" alt="" aria-hidden="true" width="110" height="36" /> </a> </div> <div class="c-global-header__rhs"> <div class="c-global-header__auxillary"> <div class="c-global-header__search js-global-header__search" id="header-search" hidden> <div class="c-search-form"> <form method="get" id="searchform" action="https://www.folger.edu/search/"> <label class="u-hidden-visually" for="q">Search the Folger</label> <input class="c-search-form__input" type="text" name="q" id="header-search-input" value="" placeholder="Search the Folger" aria-label="Search" /> <button class="c-search-form__submit" type="submit" id="header-search-submit" /> <i class="fal fa-search" aria-hidden="true"></i> <span class="u-hidden-visually">Search</span> </button> </form> </div> </div> <nav class="c-secondary-menu c-global-header__rhs-menu"> <button aria-controls="header-search" aria-expanded="false" class="js-open-search c-secondary-menu__link"> <i class="fal fa-search" aria-hidden="true"></i><span class="u-hidden-visually">Open </span><span>Search</span> </button> <button aria-controls="header-search" aria-expanded="true" class="js-close-search c-secondary-menu__link" hidden> <i class="fal fa-times" aria-hidden="true"></i><span>Close </span><span class="u-hidden-visually">Search</span> </button> <a class="c-secondary-menu__link" href="https://www.folger.edu/visit/shop"><i class="fal fa-shopping-bag" aria-hidden="true"></i><span>Shop</span></a> <a class="c-secondary-menu__link" href="https://events.folger.edu/account/update"><i class="fal fa-user"></i><span>Account</span></a> <a class="c-secondary-menu__link" href="https://events.folger.edu/cart/details"><i class="fal fa-shopping-cart"></i><span>Cart</span></a> </nav> </div> <nav id="main-navigation" class="c-primary-menu c-global-header__menu js-disclosure-nav"> <div class="c-primary-menu__multiple-item"> <span class="c-primary-menu__item-label">Performances, events, and exhibitions</span> <ul class="c-primary-menu__menu"> <li class="c-primary-menu__item"> <button class="c-primary-menu__button js-disclosure-nav__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="panel--whats-on"><span>What鈥檚 on</span> <i class="fal fa-angle-down"></i></button> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel js-disclosure-nav__panel" id="panel--whats-on"> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-content"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="c-primary-menu__panel-background-f" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 273 423"> <path fill="#EF4123" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M144.366 289.393v132.63H.882v-422h271.292v121.775l-127.808-13.867v88.62l106.106-13.263v119.368z"/> </svg> <img aria-hidden="true" src="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/SENSE_369_TWood-scaled.jpg?resize=10%2C20&gravity" data-srcset="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/SENSE_369_TWood-scaled.jpg?resize=10%2C20&gravity 10w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/SENSE_369_TWood-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C600&gravity 300w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/SENSE_369_TWood-scaled.jpg?resize=500%2C1000&gravity 500w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/SENSE_369_TWood-scaled.jpg?resize=750%2C1500&gravity 750w" alt="" title="SENSE_369_TWood" class="c-primary-menu__panel-image lazyload" data-sizes="auto" width=300 height=600 /> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-details"> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-title-block"> <h2 class="c-primary-menu__panel-title">What's on</h2> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-view-all"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/whats-on/" target="">View All </a> <i class="fal fa-arrow-right" aria-hidden="true"></i> </div> </div> <p class="c-primary-menu__panel-intro">There鈥檚 something for everyone. From award-winning theater and music, to poetry and exhibitions, experience the power of the arts with us.</p> <ul class="c-primary-menu__panel-menu"> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/calendar/" target="">Calendar</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Upcoming events</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/visit/exhibitions/" target="">Exhibitions</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">What's on view in our galleries</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/whats-on/?event-genre=families" target="">Families</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Poetry, puppets, dance, and more for young visitors</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/whats-on/?event-genre=music" target="">Music</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Folger Consort, our early music ensemble in residence, and more</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/whats-on/events/poetry/" target="">Poetry</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">The O.B. Hardison Poetry Series and additional readings</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/whats-on/events/theater/" target="">Theater</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">"A Room in the Castle" and more from Folger Theatre</span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <li class="c-primary-menu__item"> <button class="c-primary-menu__button js-disclosure-nav__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="panel--visit"><span>Visit</span> <i class="fal fa-angle-down"></i></button> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel js-disclosure-nav__panel" id="panel--visit"> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-content"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="c-primary-menu__panel-background-f" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 273 423"> <path fill="#EF4123" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M144.366 289.393v132.63H.882v-422h271.292v121.775l-127.808-13.867v88.62l106.106-13.263v119.368z"/> </svg> <img aria-hidden="true" src="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2022/09/FSL_WestGarden2.jpg?resize=10%2C20&gravity" data-srcset="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2022/09/FSL_WestGarden2.jpg?resize=10%2C20&gravity 10w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2022/09/FSL_WestGarden2.jpg?resize=300%2C600&gravity 300w" alt="People walking through a garden, sitting on benches, and sitting on a blanket in the grass" title="West garden" class="c-primary-menu__panel-image lazyload" data-sizes="auto" width=300 height=600 /> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-details"> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-title-block"> <h2 class="c-primary-menu__panel-title">Visit</h2> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-view-all"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/visit/" target="">View All </a> <i class="fal fa-arrow-right" aria-hidden="true"></i> </div> </div> <p class="c-primary-menu__panel-intro">The Folger is open! Learn about what's new and plan your visit.</p> <ul class="c-primary-menu__panel-menu"> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/visit/plan-your-visit/" target="">Plan your visit</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Hours, timed-entry passes, and what to know before you go</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/visit/exhibitions/" target="">Exhibitions</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">What's on view in our galleries</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/visit/things-to-do/" target="">Things to do</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Why you should visit</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/visit/our-building-and-grounds/" target="">Our building and grounds</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">The reimagined Folger</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/visit/folger-cafe-quill-crumb/" target="">Quill & Crumb</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Our new caf茅 is now open</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/visit/plan-your-visit/attending-an-event-in-our-theater/" target="">Visiting our theater</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Theater entrance, box office hours, seat map, and FAQ</span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </ul> </div> <div class="c-primary-menu__multiple-item"> <span class="c-primary-menu__item-label">Shakespeare, his world, and beyond</span> <ul class="c-primary-menu__menu"> <li class="c-primary-menu__item"> <button class="c-primary-menu__button js-disclosure-nav__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="panel--explore"><span>Explore</span> <i class="fal fa-angle-down"></i></button> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel js-disclosure-nav__panel" id="panel--explore"> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-content"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="c-primary-menu__panel-background-f" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 273 423"> <path fill="#EF4123" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M144.366 289.393v132.63H.882v-422h271.292v121.775l-127.808-13.867v88.62l106.106-13.263v119.368z"/> </svg> <img aria-hidden="true" src="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/Shakespeares-Birthday-2017-517-scaled.jpg?resize=10%2C20&gravity" data-srcset="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/Shakespeares-Birthday-2017-517-scaled.jpg?resize=10%2C20&gravity 10w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/Shakespeares-Birthday-2017-517-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C600&gravity 300w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/Shakespeares-Birthday-2017-517-scaled.jpg?resize=500%2C1000&gravity 500w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/Shakespeares-Birthday-2017-517-scaled.jpg?resize=750%2C1500&gravity 750w" alt="" title="Folger Shakespeare LibraryWashington DCShakespeare's birthday party" class="c-primary-menu__panel-image lazyload" data-sizes="auto" width=300 height=600 /> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-details"> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-title-block"> <h2 class="c-primary-menu__panel-title">Explore</h2> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-view-all"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/explore/" target="">View All </a> <i class="fal fa-arrow-right" aria-hidden="true"></i> </div> </div> <p class="c-primary-menu__panel-intro">Discover Shakespeare鈥檚 stories and the world that shaped them. Deepen your understanding of his works and their cultural influence.</p> <ul class="c-primary-menu__panel-menu"> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/" target="">Shakespeare's works</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Read and learn more about Shakespeare's plays and poems</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeare-in-print/" target="">Shakespeare in print</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">The First Folio (the book that gave us Shakespeare) and what came after</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeare-in-performance/" target="">Shakespeare in performance</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">From playhouse to film sets, explore four centuries of staging Shakespeare</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-life/" target="">Shakespeare's life</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Find out about Shakespeare's life in Stratford and London</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/explore/collection-highlights/" target="">Collection highlights</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">See manuscripts, paintings, costumes, and more from the Folger collection</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeare-for-kids/" target="">Shakespeare for kids</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Resources and activities for young children and their parents</span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <li class="c-primary-menu__item"> <button class="c-primary-menu__button js-disclosure-nav__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="panel--teach"><span>Teach</span> <i class="fal fa-angle-down"></i></button> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel js-disclosure-nav__panel" id="panel--teach"> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-content"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="c-primary-menu__panel-background-f" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 273 423"> <path fill="#EF4123" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M144.366 289.393v132.63H.882v-422h271.292v121.775l-127.808-13.867v88.62l106.106-13.263v119.368z"/> </svg> <img aria-hidden="true" src="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2022/09/McKee-Scholars-0049-cr-lloyd-wolf.jpg?resize=10%2C20&gravity" data-srcset="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2022/09/McKee-Scholars-0049-cr-lloyd-wolf.jpg?resize=10%2C20&gravity 10w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2022/09/McKee-Scholars-0049-cr-lloyd-wolf.jpg?resize=300%2C600&gravity 300w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2022/09/McKee-Scholars-0049-cr-lloyd-wolf.jpg?resize=500%2C1000&gravity 500w" alt="female student holding a Folger Shakespeare edition" title="Student with Folger Shakespeare edition" class="c-primary-menu__panel-image lazyload" data-sizes="auto" width=300 height=600 /> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-details"> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-title-block"> <h2 class="c-primary-menu__panel-title">Teach</h2> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-view-all"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/teach/" target="">View All </a> <i class="fal fa-arrow-right" aria-hidden="true"></i> </div> </div> <p class="c-primary-menu__panel-intro">Bring Shakespeare鈥檚 work to life in the classroom. Find teaching resources and opportunities.</p> <ul class="c-primary-menu__panel-menu"> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/teach/the-folger-method/" target="">Teaching with the Folger Method</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">An accessible and immersive way to teach students about any kind of literature</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/teach/become-a-teacher-member/" target="">Become a Teacher Member</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Get full access to the latest resources and ongoing professional development</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/teach/professional-development/" target="">Professional development</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">From live webinars to on-demand content for educators, join us</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/teach/resources/" target="">Teaching resources</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Access lesson plans and activities for the classroom, organized by play</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/" target="">Shakespeare's works</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Read and search the complete works of Shakespeare for free</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/teach/student-programs/" target="">Student programs</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">All kinds of programs for all kinds of students</span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <li class="c-primary-menu__item"> <button class="c-primary-menu__button js-disclosure-nav__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="panel--research"><span>Research</span> <i class="fal fa-angle-down"></i></button> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel js-disclosure-nav__panel" id="panel--research"> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-content"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="c-primary-menu__panel-background-f" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 273 423"> <path fill="#EF4123" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M144.366 289.393v132.63H.882v-422h271.292v121.775l-127.808-13.867v88.62l106.106-13.263v119.368z"/> </svg> <img aria-hidden="true" src="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/TSI_Vivid_Teachers_ReadingRoom_015_crJamesRBrantley-scaled.jpg?resize=10%2C20&gravity" data-srcset="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/TSI_Vivid_Teachers_ReadingRoom_015_crJamesRBrantley-scaled.jpg?resize=10%2C20&gravity 10w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/TSI_Vivid_Teachers_ReadingRoom_015_crJamesRBrantley-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C600&gravity 300w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/TSI_Vivid_Teachers_ReadingRoom_015_crJamesRBrantley-scaled.jpg?resize=500%2C1000&gravity 500w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/TSI_Vivid_Teachers_ReadingRoom_015_crJamesRBrantley-scaled.jpg?resize=750%2C1500&gravity 750w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/TSI_Vivid_Teachers_ReadingRoom_015_crJamesRBrantley-scaled.jpg?resize=1000%2C2000&gravity 1000w" alt="" title="TSI_Vivid_Teachers_ReadingRoom_015_crJamesRBrantley" class="c-primary-menu__panel-image lazyload" data-sizes="auto" width=300 height=600 /> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-details"> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-title-block"> <h2 class="c-primary-menu__panel-title">Research</h2> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-view-all"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/research/" target="">View All </a> <i class="fal fa-arrow-right" aria-hidden="true"></i> </div> </div> <p class="c-primary-menu__panel-intro">Dive deep into the world鈥檚 largest Shakespeare collection and access primary sources from the early modern period.</p> <ul class="c-primary-menu__panel-menu"> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/research/about-our-collections/" target="">About our collections</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">From printed works of Shakespeare to rare materials from the early modern period</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/research/use-the-library/" target="">Use the library</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Researcher registration and reference services</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/research/the-folger-institute/" target="">Folger Institute</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Find out about our scholarly programs and fellowship opportunities</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://catalog.folger.edu/" target="target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"">Search the catalog</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Use our online catalog to search the Folger collection</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/research/online-resources/" target="">Online resources</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Access our digital image collection, finding aids, and more</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/research/ask-a-librarian/" target="">Ask a librarian</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Get answers to your questions about Shakespeare, our collection, and more</span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </ul> </div> <div class="c-primary-menu__multiple-item"> <span class="c-primary-menu__item-label">Become a part of the story</span> <ul class="c-primary-menu__menu"> <li class="c-primary-menu__item"> <button class="c-primary-menu__button js-disclosure-nav__button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="panel--join-and-support"><span>Join and Support</span> <i class="fal fa-angle-down"></i></button> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel js-disclosure-nav__panel" id="panel--join-and-support"> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-content"> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="c-primary-menu__panel-background-f" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 273 423"> <path fill="#EF4123" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M144.366 289.393v132.63H.882v-422h271.292v121.775l-127.808-13.867v88.62l106.106-13.263v119.368z"/> </svg> <img aria-hidden="true" src="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/BrewsAndBanter_5C9A8510web.jpg?resize=10%2C20&gravity" data-srcset="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/BrewsAndBanter_5C9A8510web.jpg?resize=10%2C20&gravity 10w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/BrewsAndBanter_5C9A8510web.jpg?resize=300%2C600&gravity 300w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2023/01/BrewsAndBanter_5C9A8510web.jpg?resize=500%2C1000&gravity 500w" alt="" title="BrewsAndBanter_5C9A8510web" class="c-primary-menu__panel-image lazyload" data-sizes="auto" width=300 height=600 /> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-details"> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-title-block"> <h2 class="c-primary-menu__panel-title">Join and Support</h2> <div class="c-primary-menu__panel-view-all"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/join-support/" target="">View All </a> <i class="fal fa-arrow-right" aria-hidden="true"></i> </div> </div> <p class="c-primary-menu__panel-intro">Support us to bring Shakespeare and his world to life for everyone.</p> <ul class="c-primary-menu__panel-menu"> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="/join-support/membership/" target="">Become a member</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Unlock more of the Folger with a membership</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://events.folger.edu/donate/contribute1?ct=1" target="">Donate now</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Make a gift online</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/join-support/how-to-give/" target="">How to give</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">More options for how to make your donation</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/visit/our-building-and-grounds/building-renovation#support-the-project" target="">The Wonder of Will</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Our campaign supporting the building renovation project</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/join-support/planned-giving/" target="">Planned giving</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">Help keep the Folger going and growing for the next generation</span> </li> <li class="c-primary-menu__panel-link"> <a class="c-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/join-support/folger-gala/" target="">Folger Gala</a> <span class="c-primary-menu__panel-link-description">A celebratory evening to benefit the Folger</span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </ul> </div> </nav> <button class="js-mobile-nav-toggle c-mobile-nav-toggle" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="main-navigation"> <span class="c-mobile-nav-toggle__label js-mobile-nav-toggle__label--closed" aria-hidden="true"> <span>Close</span> </span> <span class="c-mobile-nav-toggle__label js-mobile-nav-toggle__label--open"> <span>Menu</span> </span> <div class="c-mobile-nav-toggle__icon c-hamburger" aria-hidden="true"><span></span><span></span><span></span><span></span></div> </button> </div> </div> </header> <div id="site-wrap"> <main id="main-content" class="c-site-wrap"> <div class="c-page-header-bar c-page-header-bar--beyond"> <a class="c-link c-link--back c-page-header-bar__parent-link" href="https://www.folger.edu/blogs/shakespeare-and-beyond/">Shakespeare & Beyond</a> <div class="c-page-header-bar__search-form c-page-header-bar-search-form"> <form method="get" action="https://www.folger.edu/search/"> <label for="blog-search" class="u-hidden-visually">Search blogs</label> <input type="text" name="q" id="blog-search" placeholder="Search blogs"> <input name="area" type="hidden" value="blogs"> <button class="c-btn" type="submit"><span class="u-hidden-visually">Submit</span><i class="fal fa-search" aria-hidden="true"></i></button> </form> </div> </div> <section class="c-masthead c-masthead--has-bg-img u-off-black-bg c-masthead-background--small c-masthead--1000 c-masthead--light c-masthead--text-location-over-background"> <div class="c-masthead__wrap"> <div class="c-masthead__details"> <div class="c-masthead__detail-sections"> <h1 class="c-masthead__title"><span>Hamlet on the (very) small stage</span></h1> <div class="c-masthead-post-fields"> <div class="c-masthead-post-fields__post-meta"> <div class="c-masthead-post-fields__post-meta-item c-masthead-post-fields__published-date"> <span class="c-masthead-post-fields__meta-label">Posted</span> <time datetime="2016-12-16 10:00"> December 16, 2016 </time> </div> <div class="c-masthead-post-fields__post-meta-item c-masthead-post-fields__authors"> <span class="c-masthead-post-fields__meta-label">Author</span> <ul class="c-masthead-post-fields__authors-list"> <li><a href="https://www.folger.edu/authors/sarah-hovde/">Sarah Hovde</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <ul class="c-masthead-post-fields__terms c-terms-list"> <li class="c-terms-list__term"><a href="https://www.folger.edu/blogs/shakespeare-and-beyond/people/laurence-olivier">Laurence Olivier</a><li> <li class="c-terms-list__term"><a href="https://www.folger.edu/blogs/shakespeare-and-beyond/works/hamlet">Hamlet</a><li> <li class="c-terms-list__term"><a href="https://www.folger.edu/blogs/shakespeare-and-beyond/series/folger-finds">Folger Finds</a><li> </ul> </div> </div> <svg aria-hidden="true" class="c-masthead__background-f" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 273 423"> <path fill="#EF4123" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M144.366 289.393v132.63H.882v-422h271.292v121.775l-127.808-13.867v88.62l106.106-13.263v119.368z"/> </svg> </div> <div class="c-masthead__background fadeIn"> <div class="c-masthead__scrim-bottom u-opacity-10"></div> <figure class="c-masthead__main-image"> <picture class="c-masthead__img c-masthead__media u-opacity-2"> <source srcset="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-assembled-scene.jpg?fit=300%2C300 300w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-assembled-scene.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024 1024w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-assembled-scene.jpg?fit=10%2C10 10w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-assembled-scene.jpg?fit=50%2C50 50w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-assembled-scene.jpg?fit=100%2C100 100w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-assembled-scene.jpg?fit=200%2C200 200w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-assembled-scene.jpg?fit=500%2C500 500w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-assembled-scene.jpg?fit=1000%2C1000 1000w"> <img src="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-assembled-scene.jpg?fit=300%2C300" alt="" title="hamlet-assembled-scene" width="1100" height="771" /> </picture> </figure> </div> <div class="c-masthead__blur-background u-opacity-2"> <img src="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-assembled-scene.jpg?fit=300%2C300" alt="" title="hamlet-assembled-scene" width=500 height=250 /> </div> </div> </section> <article class="c-post"> <div class="c-post__content"> <section class="c-container u-transparent-bg c-container--1000 c-container--center c-container--vertical-top"> <div class="c-container__wrap"> <div class="c-container__inner"> <div class="c-container__blocks"> <div class="o-grid o-grid--large" data-item-count="1"> <div class="o-grid__cell u-1/1@desktop"> <div class="c-col c-col-text-area u-transparent-bg"> <div class="c-content"> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Did you pick up a souvenir X-wing figurine for the opening of </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">Rogue One</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400"> last night? Maybe you&#8217;re getting a tie-in edition of </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400"> for Christmas this year, or a poster from the </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">Ghostbusters</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400"> remake. In 1948, you might have eagerly awaited <a href="http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=195192">this book of characters and scenery</a>聽reproduced from Laurence Olivier&#8217;s </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">Hamlet</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400"> to stage the film at home.聽</span></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-4884 size-full" src="https://d3k85wy3v9cru9.cloudfront.net/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-theater-cover.jpg" alt="Hamlet theater cover" width="900" height="714" srcset="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-theater-cover.jpg?w=900 900w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-theater-cover.jpg?resize=300%2C238 300w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-theater-cover.jpg?resize=768%2C609 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">This item was acquired by the Folger in 2006, and featured at our annual <a href="http://www.folger.edu/acquisitions-night">Acquisitions Night</a>聽the following year. It聽presents a condensed summary of the play, intermingled with impressionistic images of the scene settings used in the film. The center spread features images of the characters from the film in various poses.</span></p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-4887 size-full" src="https://d3k85wy3v9cru9.cloudfront.net/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-paper-dolls-center-pages.jpg" alt="Hamlet cut-out figures center spread" width="1100" height="486" srcset="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-paper-dolls-center-pages.jpg?w=1100 1100w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-paper-dolls-center-pages.jpg?resize=300%2C133 300w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-paper-dolls-center-pages.jpg?resize=1024%2C452 1024w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-paper-dolls-center-pages.jpg?resize=768%2C339 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px" /></p> <p><!--more-disabled-->The owner of the book could cut out the characters, and pose them against the scene settings to re-enact <i>Hamlet</i> in a toy theater. (For the spendthrift and/or craftily-inclined, the booklet also provides instructions for creating your own model theater out of wood or a used cereal box.)</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-4888 size-full" src="https://d3k85wy3v9cru9.cloudfront.net/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-paper-dolls-scene-1.jpg" alt="Scene 1 in Hamlet: The Battlements" width="1100" height="914" srcset="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-paper-dolls-scene-1.jpg?w=1100 1100w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-paper-dolls-scene-1.jpg?resize=300%2C249 300w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-paper-dolls-scene-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C851 1024w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-paper-dolls-scene-1.jpg?resize=768%2C638 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px" /></p> <p>Toy theaters first became popular in the 19th century. Enthusiastic theater-goers could purchase a toy theater, and sets of scenery and characters, to re-enact their favorite plays long after the curtain closed. One of the major producers was Benjamin Pollock, who produced toy theaters in different styles (i.e. &#8220;Regency&#8221; style, etc.) and accessories until聽his death in 1937. Though his business had dwindled, it was re-started as Benjamin Pollock Limited by antiquarian book dealer Alan Keen and toy theater performer George Speaight in 1946. The聽<em>Hamlet</em> set was one of the first that the re-formed company produced, allowing children of the 1940s to re-enact films in the same way their counterparts of the 19th century re-enacted plays.</p> <p>Even if you didn&#8217;t have own a toy theater or couldn&#8217;t make one, you could still stage a few scenes. And you could go off script whenever you wanted to! Here&#8217;s what it might look like in action:</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-4889 size-full" src="https://d3k85wy3v9cru9.cloudfront.net/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-assembled-scene.jpg" alt="Assembled scene from Hamlet" width="1100" height="771" /></p> <p>Don&#8217;t worry, we didn&#8217;t destroy a collection item just for a photoshoot! We actually own聽two copies of this book: one intact, and another with the scenes and figures cut out by a previous owner.</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-4890 size-full" src="https://d3k85wy3v9cru9.cloudfront.net/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-cut-out-figures.jpg" alt="Hamlet cut-out figures" width="1100" height="929" srcset="https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-cut-out-figures.jpg?w=1100 1100w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-cut-out-figures.jpg?resize=300%2C253 300w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-cut-out-figures.jpg?resize=1024%2C865 1024w, https://images.folger.edu/uploads/2016/12/Hamlet-cut-out-figures.jpg?resize=768%2C649 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px" /></p> <p>We also own <a href="http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=195193">a toy theater of the same model</a> &#8211; the &#8220;Regency&#8221; style produced by Benjamin Pollock Limited &#8211; pictured on the front cover of the book. Unfortunately, it&#8217;s a little too fragile to set up with the scenery for聽<em>Hamlet</em>, so you&#8217;ll聽have to use your imagination. In its day, though, it had several slots for different scenery sheets, and even聽included electrical lights for the stage (sold separately as a kit &#8211; you can see some of the wiring to the side of the photo).</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-4891 size-full" src="https://d3k85wy3v9cru9.cloudfront.net/uploads/2016/12/Pollock-toy-theater.jpg" alt="Pollock's toy theater" width="900" height="1200" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div class="c-post__footnotes c-content"> <div class="o-max o-max--800"> </div> </div> <div class="c-post__author o-wrap"> <div class="o-max o-max--800"> <div class="c-post-author c-content"> <div class="c-post-author__details"> <p class="c-post-author__name">Sarah Hovde</p> <p class="c-post-author__description">was a cataloger at the Folger Shakespeare Library, primarily working with modern materials (anything created after 1830). &mdash; <a href="https://www.folger.edu/authors/sarah-hovde/">View all posts <span class="u-hidden-visually">by Sarah Hovde</span></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="c-post__blog-sign-up o-wrap"> <div class="o-max o-max--800"> <div class="c-boxout u-txt-center c-content"> <h3>Stay connected</h3> <p>Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.</p> <script type="text/javascript"> var onloadSibCallback = function () { jQuery('.g-recaptcha').each(function (index, el) { grecaptcha.render(el, { 'sitekey': jQuery(el).attr('data-sitekey') }); }); }; </script> <script src="https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?onload=onloadSibCallback&render=explicit" async defer></script> <form id="sib_signup_form_3" method="post" class="sib_signup_form"> <div class="sib_loader" style="display:none;"><img src="https://www.folger.edu/admin/wp-includes/images/spinner.gif" alt="loader"></div> <input type="hidden" name="sib_form_action" value="subscribe_form_submit"> <input type="hidden" name="sib_form_id" value="3"> <input type="hidden" name="sib_form_alert_notice" value="Please fill out this field"> <input type="hidden" name="sib_form_invalid_email_notice" value="Your email address is invalid"> <input type="hidden" name="sib_security" value="a4bd066f1d"> <div class="sib_signup_box_inside_3"> <div style="/*display:none*/" class="sib_msg_disp"> </div> <label class="u-hidden-visually" for="blog-signup-email">Email</label> <input id="blog-signup-email" type="email" class="form-input form-inline" name="email" placeholder="Email" required="required"> <button type="submit" class="c-btn c-btn--small form-button form-inline">Subscribe</button> <div id="sib_captcha" class="g-recaptcha" data-sitekey="6LcbE-AnAAAAACCkR1Q_jlT7XSTlh6dPbiRcmrjn"></div> </div> </form> <style> form#sib_signup_form_3 p.sib-alert-message { padding: 6px 12px; margin-bottom: 20px; border: 1px solid transparent; border-radius: 4px; -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; -moz-box-sizing: border-box; box-sizing: border-box; } form#sib_signup_form_3 p.sib-alert-message-error { background-color: #f2dede; border-color: #ebccd1; color: #a94442; } form#sib_signup_form_3 p.sib-alert-message-success { background-color: #dff0d8; border-color: #d6e9c6; color: #3c763d; } form#sib_signup_form_3 p.sib-alert-message-warning { background-color: #fcf8e3; border-color: #faebcc; color: #8a6d3b; } </style> </div> </div> </div> </article> <div class="c-comment-section"> <div class="o-wrap"> <div class="o-max o-max--800"> <section class="c-post-comments c-content"> <h2 class="c-post-comments__title">Comments</h2> <div class="c-comment-list"> <div id="comment-175" class="c-post-comment"> <div class="c-post-comment__text"> <p>[&#8230;] Folger and find a Shakespeare bobble head, a Shakespeare action figure, a Shakespeare rubber duck, model theaters, Shakespearean board games, and more, all of which speak to the Bard&#8217;s pop culture ubiquity. [&#8230;]</p> </div> <div class="c-post-comment__details"> <p class="c-post-comment__meta"><em>The Miniature Mystery of the Maybe Barbie Book - Shakespeare &amp; Beyond</em> &mdash; September 6, 2019</p> <div class="c-post-comment__reply-link"></div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </main> <section class="c-newsletter-signup"> <div class="c-content o-max o-max--800"> <div class="o-grid o-grid--middle"> <div class="o-grid__cell u-1/3@desktop"> <div class="c-newsletter-signup__title"> <i class="fal fa-envelope" aria-hidden="true"></i> <h2>Stay connected</h2> </div> </div> <div class="o-grid__cell u-2/3@desktop"> <div class="c-newsletter-signup__content"> <p class="c-newsletter-signup__description">Find out what鈥檚 on, read our latest stories, and learn how you can get involved. </p> <a href="https://www.folger.edu/enews" class="c-newsletter-signup__btn c-btn c-btn--small">Sign up</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <footer class="c-global-footer o-max o-max--1400"> <h2 class="u-hidden-visually">Footer information</h2> <div class="o-grid"> <div class="o-grid__cell u-1/2 u-1/3@tablet u-1/4@desktop"> <ul id="menu-footer-one" class="c-footer-menu"><li id="menu-item-38546" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-38546"><a href="https://www.folger.edu/about-us/">About us</a></li> <li id="menu-item-38545" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-38545"><a href="https://www.folger.edu/about-us/careers-and-volunteering/">Jobs and internships</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5652" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5652"><a href="https://www.folger.edu/about-us/press/">Press</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="o-grid__cell u-1/2 u-1/3@tablet u-1/4@desktop"> <ul id="menu-footer-two" class="c-footer-menu"><li id="menu-item-38543" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-38543"><a href="https://www.folger.edu/blogs/">Blogs</a></li> <li id="menu-item-40852" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-40852"><a href="https://www.folger.edu/podcasts/shakespeare-unlimited/">Podcast</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5656" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5656"><a href="https://www.folger.edu/visit/our-building-and-grounds/rent-our-spaces/">Rent our spaces</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="o-grid__cell u-1/1 u-1/3@tablet u-1/4@desktop"> <div class="c-footer-address"> <div class="c-footer-address__logo"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 273 423"> <path fill="#E03100" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M144.366 289.393v132.63H.882v-422h271.292v121.775l-127.808-13.867v88.62l106.106-13.263v119.368z"/> </svg> </div> <div class="c-footer-address__content"> <address> Folger Shakespeare Library <br/> 201 East Capitol Street, SE <br/> Washington, DC 20003 </address> <a href="https://www.folger.edu/contact-us">Contact us</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="o-grid__cell u-1/4@desktop"> <div class="c-footer-social-links"> <h2>Follow us<span class="u-hidden-visually"> on social media</span></h2> <ul> <li><a class="c-footer-social-links__link" href="https://www.facebook.com/folgershakespearelibrary/"><i aria-hidden="true" class="fab fa-facebook"></i> Facebook</a></li> <li><a class="c-footer-social-links__link" href="https://www.instagram.com/folgerlibrary"><i aria-hidden="true" class="fab fa-instagram"></i> Instagram</a></li> <li><a class="c-footer-social-links__link" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBOl-Rnudd-b0XJsmKDId-g"><i aria-hidden="true" class="fab fa-youtube"></i> YouTube</a></li> <li><a class="c-footer-social-links__link" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@folgerlibrary"><i aria-hidden="true" class="fab fa-tiktok"></i> TikTok</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="c-global-footer__base"> <ul id="menu-footer-three" class="c-footer-menu c-footer-menu--row"><li id="menu-item-40275" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-privacy-policy menu-item-40275"><a rel="privacy-policy" href="https://www.folger.edu/privacy-policy/">Privacy policy</a></li> <li id="menu-item-520" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-520"><a href="https://www.folger.edu/terms-of-use/">Terms of use</a></li> <li id="menu-item-519" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-519"><a href="https://www.folger.edu/copyright-policy/">Copyright policy</a></li> </ul> <span class="c-global-footer__copyright">&copy; 1996 - 2024 Folger Shakespeare Library</span> </div> <a class="c-global-footer__credit-link" href="https://substrakt.com" target="_blank">Site by substrakt</a> </footer> </div> <script type="text/javascript" id="audioigniter-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var aiStrings = {"play_title":"Play %s","pause_title":"Pause %s","previous":"Previous track","next":"Next track","toggle_list_repeat":"Toggle track listing repeat","toggle_track_repeat":"Toggle track repeat","toggle_list_visible":"Toggle track listing visibility","buy_track":"Buy this track","download_track":"Download this track","volume_up":"Volume Up","volume_down":"Volume Down","open_track_lyrics":"Open track lyrics","set_playback_rate":"Set playback rate","skip_forward":"Skip forward","skip_backward":"Skip backward","shuffle":"Shuffle"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.folger.edu/plugins/audioigniter/player/build/app.js?ver=1.9.0" id="audioigniter-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="basetheme-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var wpAjax = {"url":"https:\/\/www.folger.edu\/admin\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.folger.edu/themes/childtheme/assets/js/all.js?ver=1731663200" id="basetheme-js"></script> </body> </html> <!-- Performance optimized by Redis Object Cache. Learn more: https://wprediscache.com Retrieved 14906 objects (2 MB) from Redis using Predis (v2.2.2). -->

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10