Camden Shakespeare Festival Opens "Hamlet" and "The Taming of the Shrew"

Camden, Maine — Camden Shakespeare Festival heats up summer with its wildly physical production of The Taming of the Shrewand cools off with the soul-chilling tragedy of Hamlet.


When you think of Shakespeare, do you imagine juggling, pratfalls and acrobatics? You will, once you experience the carnivalesqueThe Taming of the Shrewin the Camden Amphitheatre this summer. On alternate nights, the flexible and multitalented professional company switches gears for Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy, Hamlet, designed in a Film Noir style.


In Shakespeare’s comedy, “Kate the Curst” meets her match in the macho, unpredictable Petruchio. Kate’s little sister Bianca has no shortage of suitors, but her father will not allow Bianca to marry until he has found a match for wild, shrewish Kate. The comedy erupts as Kate and Petruchio playfully and often literally wrestle for power - dragging suitors, fathers, sister, servants and possibly the audience into the fray. Performed ‘in the round’ in historic Camden Amphitheatre, without a backstage, audiences will be treated to layers of delight as the circus performers navigate the story, characters and costume changes while simultaneously negotiating power dynamics ‘backstage.’


The Taming of the Shrewwill be presented outdoors in the Camden Library Amphitheater on these
dates: July 24, 25, 26 and August 1, 2, 3, 7, 10 and 11. All performances begin at 6pm. The production is suitable for children. In the event of rain, the show will play indoors at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church.


In Hamlet, A young man, while home from college, discovers that his uncle has murdered his father and takes justice into his own hands. But nothing happens the way that you would expect. It is a ghost story, a mystery, an adventure, a love story, a revenge play, and a comedy – all at the same time. Whether you have seen it or not seen it, come one come all. This modern dress production will make you experience the story afresh and thrill you to the bone.


Hamlet will be presented indoors at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church on these dates: July 27, 28, 30, 31 and August 4, 6, 8 and 9.  All performances begin at 7pm.  This production contains depictions of violence and emotional intensity and may not be suitable for younger audiences. 


Tickets for both shows are available at BrownPaperTickets.com, by calling 207-464-0008, or at the theatre one hour prior to each performance, depending on availability.