I Hate Hamlet. by Paul Rudnick

by Paul Rudnick

New book.

Genres: Plays, Drama, Theatre, Humor, Shakespeare, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghost stories are about real estate, and this is a fabulous apartment, formerly home to John Barrymore who shows up bigger than life and twice as unnatural. Here's why Rudnick is so great: he's putting up the pull of TV series money against the prestige of Shakespeare in the Park and at no time does he assume that one is innately superior. Rather than go with the cliché about the personal connection between audience and stage actor, he gives us two strangers connecting through a commercial jingle. He evokes Noel Coward and The Greatest American Hero, albeit in separate acts. It's funny but kid. And there are swords. I love a sword fight.

Library copy

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly funny!

[Ashley Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a bit dated. Still...

A famous television actor in search of a new apartment finds himself in the former home of a legendary actor whose portrayal of Hamlet had been unsurpassable. Ironically, the tv actor has recently been offered the role of Hamlet- every actor's dream part! The catch? It's Shakespeare in the Park, and maybe a tv actor just doesn't have the chops.

A ghost story I'll never forget. Super funny.

[Natasha]

this is a very funny play. the major theme is the greatness of theater, and the lack of recognition that greatness has in today's society, due mostly to the fact that we are raised on instant gratification. many people nowadays, myself included, have a lot of trouble sitting through Shakespeare's "Hamlet." we don't really know how to do it anymore. also i think that it wants us to know that truth is overrated, and that sometimes one must embrace absurdity. no one can be dignified all the time.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

My book club is reading a play for July 2013 so I'm in a bit of a theater reading frenzy.

I Hate Hamlet was amusing. It's about a TV actor who loses his job and, somehow, lands the lead of Hamlet in Central Park's summer Shakespeare series. The actor, Andrew Rally, knows that he's not a great actor. Thankfully, he's living in the old NYC apartment of John Barrymore, legendary for his portrayal of Hamlet. Even better, the apartment is haunted by Barrymore who is more than happy to give Andrew acting lessons.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty interesting, but I am sure better to see.

I was lookign to read it to support the Hamlet unit I teach. I'll let kids know it exists, but it're really not a wonderful teaching tool. a 20 minute lesson, maybe, but not a full unit.

[Matt]

Amusing play. The SCSP might be able to pull it off. Biggest challenge is teh set... if you do it as written, it is quite elaborate... some thought would need to be giving to reshaping the set.

[molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

silly & fun

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did NOT read this play but I did see it on Broadway with Nicol Williamson and Evan Handler. Written by the clever Paul Rudnick, it was an amusing evening about the ghost of John Barrymore and an american actor but what made the show so memorable was Nicol Williamson's hatred of Evan Handler. You could feel it. Several evenings later I read that Williamson actually stabbed Handler with his sword. Handler then left the production. He was awful anyway.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very very funny script about an actor being haunted by the ghost of John Barrymore.

[Edwarda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Laugh after another

[Rhiannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

One word..."Meh"

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Silly

[Chambers Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw I Hate Hamlet at a college in Mississippi.
The acting was terrible.
The set was terrible.
The direction was terrible
But the play was still a lot of fun.
Now THAT is good writing.

[Emma Kay Krebs · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Juliette II · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great characters across age and gender, and race shouldn’t matter for any character, including Barrymore. A play theater lovers are more apt to appreciate. The set requirements are a lot, and to get the true effect you need them. This includes at least a second story landing. Lighting special effects are also a necessity. Need some Shakespearean costumes and there is an epic fencing battle with partial destruction of set. With all that said, should be a crowd pleaser and does act the question: what makes a life matter?

[ashley g · Rating 3 out of 5]

very play core

[Rhys Green ✝️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly shows itself to be an ode to the dedication of an actor, and how their profession can make such an impact in numerous ways.

Definitely a fun, quick read

[Zippity do Dah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This play is very enjoyable and funny. There was one bit near the end that made me go ‘ehhhhhn not sure I like that’ but I could have just inferred too much. The characters are well developed.

[Laura K · Rating 4 out of 5]

An actor finishes a successful run in a T.V. medical show and decides to go to NYC to try his luck at theater. The only stage role he is able to get is Hamlet in a Shakespeare in the Park production. He moves into an apartment formerly inhabited by the great actor John Barrymore. The ghost of Barrymore appears to him and teaches him a thing or two about acting (and about living).

In the meantime, a new Television comedy series is about to make an offer to him. He must decide between stage and small screen. Oh, by the way, he HATES Shakespeare. He considers it deadly dull and so does his producer friend from L.A. (who is trying to convince him to return to television).

I chose this book because of the title. I have never been able to acquire a taste for anything remotely Shakespearean. However, since this is a play (I love to attend AND read plays), and a comedy, I thought I might enjoy it. I wasn't disappointed. I liked all of the characters except one (Dierdre - too annoying).

I did enjoy the writing and humor and I plan to investigate more books by this author.

As an aside, I saw that one of the other Goodreads members contributed a post about the real-life problems between the cast members under one of the other editions of this book. One cast member actually hit another during a duel scene, leading to a walk-out during the show. It appears that one of the stars of the play (Mr. Williamson) was quite a handful.

I put this other edition up because this book contains a Introduction by the author in which he discussed the problem that occurred between the two actors.

Read about the actual event here:
http://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/04/the...

[John Love IV · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this play and would like to play the part of Barrymore someday. Odds are that I'd have to direct to get it on stage where I'm at though.

The characters are funny but realistic and it strikes a cord with the actor in me. Obviously, this is a script, meant to be performed, not read. That being said, it was very well written. Nice tight plot with just the right amount of humor mixed with some of the realities of being an actor.

See the play or read the script. Either way, I hope you are as amused as I was.

[Suze · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny and engaging comedy. Rudnick’s frequent allusions to Shakespearian quotes and his various plays add depth, in the same way that Shakespeare made references intended only for the educated. But it’s wholly grounded in present day vernacular and current humour.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond a five-star. This one had be cracking up from beginning to end. It is chockfull of lunacy and merriment. The Barrymore created by Rudnick is charming, engaging and a total p*ssy-hound. Everything I imagine the true Barrymore to be. I would love love love to see this performed.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not as good of a take on Hamlet as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, but it's still a nice little read. I'd like to see it performed.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a fun play. the characters are great, one of them seems to disappear without a trace, but overall, I liked it.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly delightful play. It celebrates acting, theatre, and of course the Bard. If you are a fan of any or all, I would highly recommend this play.

[A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't, though, of course. Hamlet and I have been the best companions for years now, but I can understand how he can be overwhelming. Hilarious play; I'd love to see it live!

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Just fun.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun premise, enjoyed very much.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very amusing. Good premise. But ... it's possibly a 2 episode sitcom.