It’s A Danish Treat With Happy Hour Hamlet

— Created March 20, 2026 by Samantha Goodman

It’s A Danish Treat With Happy Hour Hamlet

Theater review and photography by Jim Sovanski

It’s happy hour in Denmark. A lot has happened at Elsinore Castle, so what better time to get together for drinks and gossip about what insanity the Danish royal family has been up to over the last few months. Two castle guards, Marcellus and Barnardo, are meeting after shift in the castle pub to dish the dirt on the royals and to engage in a bit of friendly gossip, each recounting what they witnessed the unpredictable Prince Hamlet say and do.

In between recounting Hamlet’s monologues, they have time for multiple drinks, karaoke, pizza bites and even a sword fight. Somehow they even shamelessly plug Island Shakespeare Festivals upcoming summer productions. The nerve of it! Who’d a thunk it! More on that later.

OK, time for a little background information, as well as an embarrassing confession. I have never read the play or seen a production of Hamlet. There, I’ve said it. My shameful secret inadequacies have been revealed. But alas, all is not lost! For lo and behold, Island Shakespeare Festival’s Shakespeare in a Backpack touring production of “Happy Hour Hamlet” is my salvation, as I am ( amazingly enough) their target audience. Me, a card carrying, charter member of “The I Don’t ‘Get Shakespeare Club.” Actually it’s rather heartwarming, to think little ole’ me, a target demographic. I digress.

In its second year of touring Whidbey Island, ISF’s “Shakespeare in a Backpack” offers an original and playful retelling of what is arguably the Bard’s most famous work, Hamlet. The tour goal is two fold, to educate the public about Shakespeare’s works in general and to shamelessly plug the upcoming ISF season.

This summer, ISF takes on Shakespeare’s other rather well known play about a slightly dysfunctional royal family. Referred to in theater circles as “The Scottish Play,” (what is it about Shakespeare and dysfunctional royal families?) and the world premier of Erin Murray’s play, “Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest,” a new take on the old story.

Olena Hodges, ISF Executive Artistic Director explained the background of the show.

“This was actually inspired by Whidbey Playhouse’s upcoming production of “Women Playing Hamlet.” They reached out about our Spring tour wondering if we might lean into Hamlet specifically to help introduce the themes and history to their audience. WPH doesn’t often program Shakespeare so they wanted to help their audience dip their toe in.” Writer and director Erin Murray picked up the story. “, they asked us to bring a presentation on Hamlet to Oak Harbor in advance of their opening night. I said “I’ll do you one better and make our Spring Tour all about Hamlet!” This is where Happy Hour Hamlet was born, a 40 minute comedic romp through the seven iconic speeches of Shakespeare’s most famous work.”

Murray expanded her thoughts on the show: “Academia and Classics works are looked on with suspicion these days with many people believing they are irrelevant, exclusionary, or only for an arrogant minority. This show plays with the world-renowned central character while still telling his story put forth by Shakespeare. We want people to both have fun with this short play and leave feeling more confident in their understanding of a play they perhaps have not read since high school.”

She continued, “Prince Hamlet wrestles with feelings of abandonment, self-doubt, grief, betrayal, and fierce longing — very common present day experiences. Understanding Hamlet can help us better understand ourselves. Come for the laughs, but stay to consider the wisdom of the Danish Prince’s words.”

“The cast,” Murray continues, “Melanie Lowey as Marcellus and David Mayer as Barnardo, have extensive Shakespeare and physical comedy experience. Happy Hour Hamlet showcases their high-flying comedic abilities while providing space for their breathtaking dramatic work. It is a joy to watch them, seasoned stage actors and real life friends, on stage!”

Lowey shared her thoughts, “I’m beyond thrilled to tread the boards once more with one of my dearest friends and deeply admired fellow actors, David Mayer. I’ve been lucky enough to see ISF grow from a scrappy idea to the grand production it’s become over the past 16 or so years- there have been many changes but one core mission remains: to make quality theater accessible to all. What a joy to be part of it – I never thought I’d get to play Hamlet!”

“Having read Erin’s piece, I thought it was a truly snappy, fun way to bring an incredible work to life in a new way,”comments Mayer. “And the thought of getting to recite some of the greatest monologues ever sweetened the pot immensely.”

The show runs 40 minutes and several performances feature a Q&A session after the show.

Remaining performance times include:

All tickets are Pay‑What‑You‑Will. The Library-hosted appearances are free and are in partnership with Sno-Isle Libraries (Oak Harbor, Clinton, Snohomish). Tickets for all performances are available at www.ticketsource.com/island-shakespeare-festival (you may reserve free tickets for the library appearances). Tickets are not required, but seating is limited at all venues, so reservations are recommended.

For further information, email info@islandshakespearefest.org; website: islandshakespearefest.org.

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