Frailty, Thy Name

by Scott Sickles

[FULL LENGTH DRAMA – adaptation/retelling of HAMLET]

You know the story, right?
After the sudden death of her king, the grieving Queen Gertrude tries to save her country from the brink of war by helping her brother-in-law, the wise and good statesman Claudius, ascend to the throne instead of her temperamental son, Prince Hamlet. When Hamlet becomes unhinged, Gertrude enlists his love Ophelia to help save his...

[FULL LENGTH DRAMA – adaptation/retelling of HAMLET]

You know the story, right?
After the sudden death of her king, the grieving Queen Gertrude tries to save her country from the brink of war by helping her brother-in-law, the wise and good statesman Claudius, ascend to the throne instead of her temperamental son, Prince Hamlet. When Hamlet becomes unhinged, Gertrude enlists his love Ophelia to help save his sanity. But soon, Ophelia inherits Hamlet's suspicions about his father's death and must determine if the queen can be trusted or is an accomplice to murder.
This is a story about women.

FRAILTY, THY NAME examines the Hamlet mythos exclusively from the perspectives of its women, Queen Gertrude and Ophelia. Gertrude is a noble, savvy and honorable queen who, in a moment of deep grief, puts country before family. She and Ophelia — clever, perceptive, and steadfast — unite over their love of Hamlet, until his suspicions of treachery force them to confront the patriarchy that has trapped and perhaps even doomed them.

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Frailty, Thy Name

Recommended by

  • Chelsea Frandsen: Frailty, Thy Name by Scott Sickles
    “

    Being obsessed with Shakespeare from the time I was six years old(I KNOW!!!), I have always been slightly irritated with the many interpretations of Gertrude and Ophelia that never felt quite right. How happy I am to discover I was not the only one. Thank you Scott Sickles for giving us the Ophelia and Gertrude we deserve to see! Only one question: WHY is this not onstage yet?!

    Being obsessed with Shakespeare from the time I was six years old(I KNOW!!!), I have always been slightly irritated with the many interpretations of Gertrude and Ophelia that never felt quite right. How happy I am to discover I was not the only one. Thank you Scott Sickles for giving us the Ophelia and Gertrude we deserve to see! Only one question: WHY is this not onstage yet?!

    ”
  • Christopher Soucy: Frailty, Thy Name by Scott Sickles
    “

    I am an unabashed lover of Shakespeare. I love any exploration behind the lines and action detailed to us in his works. Scott Sickles is a joy to read. Every play of his I’ve read is elaborately performed by a cast of players that reside forever in the repertory theater in my mind. FRAILTY, THY NAME gives us a peek behind the tapestries, not the safest place, but perhaps the best place to get the whole story.

    I am an unabashed lover of Shakespeare. I love any exploration behind the lines and action detailed to us in his works. Scott Sickles is a joy to read. Every play of his I’ve read is elaborately performed by a cast of players that reside forever in the repertory theater in my mind. FRAILTY, THY NAME gives us a peek behind the tapestries, not the safest place, but perhaps the best place to get the whole story.

    ”
  • Kim E. Ruyle: Frailty, Thy Name by Scott Sickles
    “

    Much is gained and little is lost in this masterful retelling of Hamlet that elevates and gives meat to the portrayals of Gertrude and Ophelia. Whether commiserating, clashing, or conspiring, they breathe life in to the consequential roles they play and illustrate that indeed, “Men are more pliable when they aren’t aware they are being shaped.” Read anything and everything by Scott Sickles, but do make sure you read this. It’s brilliant!

    Much is gained and little is lost in this masterful retelling of Hamlet that elevates and gives meat to the portrayals of Gertrude and Ophelia. Whether commiserating, clashing, or conspiring, they breathe life in to the consequential roles they play and illustrate that indeed, “Men are more pliable when they aren’t aware they are being shaped.” Read anything and everything by Scott Sickles, but do make sure you read this. It’s brilliant!

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

Diversity is highly encouraged: age, race, gender.
  • Gertrude
    recently widowed and remarried queen of Denmark. She loved her husband and deeply grieves his loss, though this grief compromises her judgment. Worried for her son, Prince Hamlet, and protective of young Ophelia. She also cares for her husband Claudius, whom she trusts.
    late 40s/50s
    Any
    Presents Female,
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Ophelia
    intelligent and charming, she has also been raised to be obedient. This is not to say she has no will of her own. She has grace and strength as well as powers of observation. She does not break because she is weak; she breaks because anyone in her position would.
    20s
    Any
    Female,
    Presents Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Claudius
    the brother of the recently deceased king and soon made King himself. Handsome, charismatic and well-spoken, where his brother was a warrior king, Claudius is more the statesman. To all appearances, he must seem a man with integrity and the best interests of the kingdom and his family at heart.
    50s/60s
    Any
    Male,
    Presents Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Polonius
    an overprotective father to Ophelia and loyal confidante of King Claudius and Queen Gertrude.
    60s+
    Any
    Male,
    Presents Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Hamlet
    handsome, bright, athletic, to all appearances a dilettante. He can be romantic and gracious or petulant and cunning, and that’s on a good day! Then he goes mad. Or does he?
    30
    Any
    Male,
    Presents Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Laertes
    a warrior, protective and loving brother to Ophelia.
    30s
    Any
    Male,
    Presents Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary