Having worked on a production of "Hamlet" for a renown Shakespeare festival, I rejoice at Adam Richter's tale of palace intrigue, introspection, and the development of Claudius and Gertrude. In his vision and the faithful use of Shakespeare's language and rhythm, he explores the story beyond what we have heard for so long and gives us a possible motivation for their actions: was it greed and jealousy and lust, or was there a greater good at stake? This play could be performed as a prologue to a production of "Hamlet," but stand proudly on its own.

Writing a prequel or companion piece to any canonical work is a considerable undertaking, much less to one of Shakespeare's most lauded tragedies, and with THE CONSCIENCE OF THE KING, playwright Adam Richter succeeds impressively in his mission. Richter's elevated, yet accessible language and nuanced characterization of Hamlet's established figures are a revelation. Each of the play's scenes builds toward and complicates the drama's foregone conclusion in fascinating ways. Devotees of the Bard, this one is worth your time!

A thoughtful and stirring supposition of events that might have lead to the Hamlet we know. Claudius, the tortured regicide, Gertrude, the faithless queen, and Polonius, the sly courtier are revealed in three full dimensions. Noble King Hamlet is revealed to be not so noble at all. And the entire play is rendered in such rich and glorious language. All in all, a brilliantly crafted act of theatrical imagination.