Hamlet WS 32,245 words SOL 22,079 words 69.4% 103 pages
Even with 30% of the text cut this show will still run over 2 hours. There are lots of roles that can be played by females. Hamlet is such a long role it could even be divided or double-cast. If you have one brilliant young actor who you KNOW will not be deflected from being a professional actor, a chance at Hamlet could be life-altering. The role needs a few productions to fully realize anyway. A truly gifted actor might as well begin in their teens.
List of Characters
GHOST Hamlet's dead father, the former King of Denmark
KING CLAUDIUS King of Denmark
QUEEN GERTRUDE Queen of Denmark, widow of the late King Hamlet and now wife of his brother King Claudius
HAMLET Son of the late King Hamlet and of Queen Gertrude
POLONIUS Lord Chamberlain
OPHELIA Daughter of Polonius
LAERTES Son of Polonius
HORATIO Friend to Hamlet
ROSENCRANTZ Courtier, old schoolfellow to Hamlet
GUILDENSTERN Courtier, old schoolfellow to Hamlet
VOLTEMAND Danish councilor, ambassador to Norway
CORNELIUS Danish councilor, ambassador to Norway
REYNALDO Servant to Polonius
OSRIC A courtier
FRANSISCO A soldier
BERNARDO A soldier
MARCELLUS A soldier
FIRST CLOWN A gravedigger
SECOND CLOWN A gravedigger
PRIEST
FORTINBRAS Prince of Norway
ENGLISH AMBASSADOR
FIRST PLAYER Leader of troupe of actors: enacts the role of a king
SECOND PLAYER Enacts the role of a queen
THIRD PLAYER Enacts the role of Lucianus, nephew to the King
FOURTH PLAYER Speaks the prologue to "The Murder of Gonzago"
Messenger, sailors, lords, ladies, guards and Danes (supporting Laertes)