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American actor Edwin Booth as William Shakespeare's "Hamlet," circa 1870.
On Friday, May 5, at 6 p.m., book critic, literary professor and East Hampton resident Joan Baum will present a talk on Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” at East Hampton Library.
At 422 years old, “Hamlet” is still going strong. The Bard’s longest play (over four hours, if performed without cuts), it has attracted over the centuries traditional and experimental directors of stage and screen, musical composers, choreographers, visual artists, publishers who keep coming out with new editions and fans who express their admiration by way of parodies, graphic novels, historical fiction, speculative biographies, new scholarship and interpretations, tours, video series, clothing, children’s versions, playing cards, board games and more. What is it about the central figure that makes him and the play attractive to and adaptable in so many forms, in different eras, countries and cultures? And so relevant now in our divisive age?
Find out on May 5 at East Hampton Library, 159 Main Street, East Hampton. The presentation will be live and also shown on Zoom. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Call Steve Spataro at 631-324-0222, ext. 3 or email steven@easthamptonlibrary.org.
Staff Writer on Apr 15, 2023