Students from several Chicago high schools have come together to win a grant from the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority to produce an updated version of Hamlet. Alan McDuffy, an 18-year-old student, wrote the adaptation.
"Hamlet in the Hood" is scheduled to be performed tonight at Alternatives, a nonprofit youth agency on the north side. Wish I could be there…I am a sucker for Shakespeare modernizations. Most are horrendous, but I love the spirit behind them just the same.
From the CNN (AP) story:
In this version, Hamlet’s best friend Horatio becomes Jorge, his arguments with his girlfriend, Ophelia, take place over a cell phone and his father is whacked in the head with a golf club instead of poisoned in the ear. A competition between break dancers replaces the climactic sword duel.
I submit that any and all climactic sword duels from this day forward should be replaced by breakdancing competitions. Poppin’ and lockin’!
