The new play, “Gertrude and Claudius,” billed as a prequel to Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” began performances at Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts last night, officially opens July 21, and runs through August 3 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage.
The play is by award-winning playwright, Mark St. Germain, author of “The Best of Enemies,” “Dancing Lessons,” “Dr. Ruth, All the Way,” and the long-running Off-Broadway hit “Freud’s Last Session” – among many other plays.
“Gertrude and Claudius” is based on John Updike’s 2000 novel of the same title. The story shows Queen Gertrude’s relationship with Hamlet’s father, who appears only as ghost in the Shakespeare play, and how she conspires with his brother Claudius to commit the murder that sets in motion the events of the classic drama.
St. Germain has a long history with Barrington Stage, this being his 13th play produced by the company.
