"Hamlet" is set in semi-modern (1980's) Valletta, Malta, an island off the coast of Italy. Hamlet's family resides in the Elsinore mansion at Denmark Estates, located on the north shore of the Island. They are a mafia family and the estates is their base of oporation. Claudius, the current "King" of this mafia, murdered his brother so that Hamlet could not inherit the family's estates and all of their wealth. Hamlet's enemy Fortinbras, is the soon to be successor of his father's company Norway Enterprises, stationed in Sicily, Italy.  Polonius is the manager of Claudius' household and estates. When Claudius sends Hamlet to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern it is the actual King of England that the sealed orders demanding Hamlet's death are meant for. The King and Claudius are old friends. The mansion forms a complete square that surrounds a square courtyard. There is a look-out platform atop the roof that overlooks the entrance to the estates. In general, the costumes are modern suites and dresses.

Act 1. Scene I

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SCENE I. Elsinore Mansion. A lookout post atop the roof overlookin the entrance.
It is midnight, mid December. There is a cold breeze coming in from over the ocean.

The main source of light comes from the full blue moon. The sounds of the ocean waves crashing

against the shore echo in the distance followed by an owl hooting in the distance.

 
Exposition

(CenterRight) FRANCISCO at his post. He is nervous and is humming the malta independance song. He is chilly in the breeze. He looks at his watch and grins knowing that his shift is almost up. He hears foot steps approaching, which promts him to stop whistling. He knows it is likely Bernardo, but fears of the posibility that it is the ghost. He hesitates a few seconds. The steps get louder. More nervous, he hesitates further before slowly moving to the side of the entrance(DownstageLeft) and leans back against the wall. He shakingly draws his gun and holds it up ready next to him. He is new to the job and so he forgets to turn the safety off. He realizes this and switches it off.   

Enter to him BERNARDO

BERNARDO Carring a flashlight to see, he hears sounds of movement from above and, afraid that it could be the ghost, asks with his hand on his holster:
Who's there?

FRANCISCO
Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself. He stuters slightly as he says this. 

BERNARDO
Long live the king!
Climax
FRANCISCO
Bernardo?
Resolution
BERNARDO He enters(CenterLeft) relieved upon knowing that it is Francisco and not the ghost.
He. Says with a small sigh of relief and lightly laughs.

FRANCISCO Gives a bigger sigh of relief upon seeing him, puts his gun away and says jokingly:
You come most carefully upon your hour. (Both move to Center)

BERNARDO
'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco. (Pats Francisco on his left shoulder)

FRANCISCO
For this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold, (Pulls the color of his coat together)
And I am sick at heart. Afraid

BERNARDO
Noticing Francisco's uneasiness: Have you had quiet guard? Asks looking around.
FRANCISCO
Not a mouse stirring.

BERNARDO
Well, good night. Bernardo hands Fransico his flashlight, and Fransico hands Bernardo his cell phone. Bernardo takes up position at Center Right, Francisco makes to leave(Center Left)

We again hear the sounds of ocean waves followed by an owl hooting in the distance

Stoping Bernardo before he exits:
If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus,
The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste.

FRANCISCO Pauses before the entrance 
I think I hear them. Pauses and puts his hand on his holster. Stand, ho! Who's there?

Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS both are holding flashlights.

 

Floor plan

upstage [1] UR [ls]	[2] UC	[3] UL
center F1 B4 CR [ms]	F3 B3  CC	F2 B2 F4 H2 M2  CL
downstage [7] DR [cu]	[8] DC	B1 H1 M1 DL

 

 

 

Hamlet Concept Second Draft:

Sounds: I want crasing ocean waves and owl hootings for sound affects in this scene. The sounds of the ocean and owl hooting will come at the opening of the scene and cease before the sounds of footsteps are heard by Fransico. We hear the loud waves and then the hoots come in as the sound of the waves fade. They will again play, with the owl hooting following the sound of the ocean waves, as Fransico is moving toward the exit. This is what promts Bernardo's next line. Also, before he is distracted by the foot steps, Fransico is whitling an an maltese song.

Lighting: I decided that the main sources of light should be coming from a full moon. I think making it a blue moon would add to the intensity and uneasyness of the characters, as many people associate a blue moon with creepyness.

Costumes: All characters are dressed in suits with black trench coats and top hats similiar to the one in the picture below. They are all wearing belts as well. 

Props: Three flashlights, Four guns w/hosters, Four watches, Four matching bulky rings that each wears on his right forefinger- this is an indicator that they all belong to a group, in this case the maltese mafia. Fransico doesn't have a flashlight. Instead, Bernardo will hand him his before taking over the post. Also, one large cell phone that Fransico has on his belt. This helps identify the time period. Fransico gives it to Bernardo before he moves to leave. 

Actors: Actors speak in an Italian accent. Fransico is new to the job. He therefore appears more nervous and affraid then the more experienced Bernardo. This can be seen by him hesitating before he responds to the footsteps. In other words, he hesitates instead of authomatically drawing his weapon and moving to the side of the door to deal with the possible coming threat. Actor playing the character of Fransisco will have to learn some of the malta independence song in order for him to whistle it.

 

Why I chose this setting:

 

Malta and Italy are frequently at odds with each other. This was especially true in the 1980's. Italy was trying to regain political control over Malta during this time, but Malta was awarded independance. In the story of "Hamlet" Denmark is at odds with Norway. Infact Norway is threatening to invade. So, I took the conclict between Denmark and Norway from the story and moved it into two other contries that are also in conflict with one another. Howver, instead of the contries themselves, the conflict is between the Maltese Mafia and the Italian Mafia.

 

 

 

 

Director's Notebook

 

Hamlet Concept Photos

  

This is similiar to what I imagined for the appearance and location of the Elsinor Mansion.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The moon is the only source of light.

The blue moon adds a haunted feeling, which works well with this first scene since there is a ghost lurking around.

 

My concept is based on mafia. I like the top hat. 

 

 Sound of an howl in the distance.

 

Sound of the ocean crashing against the shore.

Adds suspense.