On Oct. 3, 2024, Bakersfield College performing arts department showcased “Hamlet” directed by Cody Ganger and Steph Hankinson. This performance following “Twelfth Night” which kicked off the 40^th Annual Shakespeare Festival.

“Hamlet” tells a story of betrayal and gives you an inside look at a royal family whose king has died and his brother who has just been crowned new king suspiciously marries his wife shortly after his death. Hamlet is given a message from her deceased father asking Hamlet to avenge him. The audience is guided through Hamlet’s emotional turmoil dealing with grief from her father, deep depression and the complicated love affair between his mother and uncle. The play is meant to explore what a human is capable of when put in a horrible situation that may lead to blackmail and possibly even murder.

There was a twist and a add of concept that gave the original story of Hamlet a very interesting pull. A new character was added, this being a documentarian who showcases the most intimate moments of Hamlet’s pain and struggle. This new character adds the concept of self-reflection allowing the audience to ask themselves, if a documentarian followed me around on an average day, what intimate moments would they catch? Production is also changed dramatically by the gender swap of many main characters including Hamlet. This change allows the audience to explore the perspective of Hamlet through a women’s perspective. Ophelia, Hamlet’s lover who is originally a woman is also swapped with a male role exploring the dynamic of the two. It allows a fresh new look at such a classic story.

The play is being held on Bakersfield College main campus in the Edward Simonsen Indoor Theater. The stage was full of effects as the audience sat at the edge of their seats throughout the play. The audience audibly gasped as all the lies and betrayals started to unfold. Every actor put on an amazing performance showing true emotion that left the audience in awe. As the actors finished their first performance of Hamlet, they walked on stage taking their final bow ending the first showcase of Hamlet.