By Stash Kirkbride & Peter Beck. Edited by Peter Barrow.
In 1991 I came up with the idea of writing a sequel to Shakespeare’s most famous play Hamlet. I had a beginning, a middle and an end, it just needed filling in! I had waited 25 years to find a person passionate enough to co-write the story with me. Peter Beck had graduated from the UEA in Creative Writing and Direction, and like me he had a never ending fascination with the bard.
All within 8 months we had written a 2 hour story set in the after-life, picking up at the end of Shakepeare’s play. HAMLET The Undiscovered Country became the Central Production of 2012 at the Hostry Festival, Norwich Cathedral. www.hostryfestival.org
Acclaimed Norfolk based inclusive theatre company Total Ensemble created a highly charged and memorable piece of Movement Theatre as a prologue. Well-known actors such as David Banks put their faith in us, and together we all created a totally original piece of drama. This production really does serve as one of the highlights of what the PBSK Partnership has achieved.
We believe It will one day be a feature film, all filmed on location in Norfolk, starring Kenneth Branagh, and a host of famous artists who like us simply love “playing Shakespeare”. If the images, original music score, and script resonate, and you have what I call “Adventure Capital of £2 million pound + this is still very much on mine and creative partner Peter Barrow’s To Do list.
Swan Of Avon Films awaits a co-production.
Email: stashkirkbride@hostryfestival.org
“ Thank you very much for an enjoyable and stimulating evening at the Hostry last night. I do congratulate you on your original and powerful sequel to Hamlet, the whole performance left the audience with a lot to think about. I was particularly moved by the Prologue from Total Ensemble Theatre Company. Congratulations and all good wishes.
Sir Timothy Colman
“Congratulations on an excellent production and skilled writing – it must have involved a huge amount of time to get it all together, I hope you are all deservedly happy with your achievement”
Roger Rowe MBE
“The setting was gorgeous. I felt like I was watching the real thing (genuine Shakespeare) intense, powerful, rich with emotion”
Colin Mace director of Booja Booja
“This must continue onwards”
Paul Timmberton, Norfolk & Norwich Festival trustee
“The team behind the Hostry Festival have a pure ambition to demonstrate the best creative talent in the county. We at the Theatre Royal know that without risky and exhilarating experimentation the performing arts can never develop, so we welcome Stash and his colleagues’ initiative. On a personal level, I admire many of the performers and writers who are being showcased during the Festival, and I’m delighted that there will be such a prominent, and so well supported, platform for their work. I salute Fosters Solicitors for their significant financial contribution, such a great example of the kind of partnership between the arts and the business community that enables both to find a common voice. Long may the Festival flourish.”
Peter Wilson, Chief Executive, Theatre Royal Norwich 1992 -2016
Founder of PW Productions: Credits include the West End’s The Woman In Black & An Inspector Calls.
