Has anyone

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I've seen the play performed live many times, and the actor playing Claudius often plays Hamlet's father. It's not uncommon, especially when the show is being done with a smaller cast.

I think it's fairly common in players companies, as opposed to commercial productions where people are contracted to play specific roles.

I've been in two productions of Hamlet, and it was done like this both times. It reflects the idea of Hamlet (Snr) and Claudius being brothers, but I've found it can be confusing for audiences, esp. kids studying Shakespeare at high school, who may not be as comfortable with theatre conventions and don't immediately understand they're meant to be two different people.



You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment.

I can't decide if I like it. It either makes Gertrude more sympathetic or more delusional.