Hamalot: Gravediggers Scene
The chat between the gravediggers about criteria for Christian burial is intended as comedy already.
Its an ideal bed for a comedy pair bit, and at first glance seems suitable for a classic slapstick bit using the shovels, as done with mops and ladders, as done by the Three Stooges. Dumb character accidentally bashes smarty, who attempts revenge but it backfires, each gets hurt another few times, maybe some confetti dirt gets thrown, etc.
I propose that the gravediggers speech before Hamlet enters be largely retained, but updated to more modern English. *Conceivably* updated to completely urban modern English, as appropriate to their rank, as done by Sanford and Son.
To render the scene, two clowns pair off, and create an inventory of slapstick exchanges involving gravedigging.
Distribute the best bits over a sequence of maybe six stages.
Map the bits into the gravedigger script.
Voila!
This scene is the single most ideal for standalone development and production, as the characters only appear in this scene, and one in the following transitional scene. Perfect for an enthusiastic pair of clowns to write.
Detailed proposed bits to be filled in here later.
<PREV NEXT> FIRST LAST STOP UP
2006.01.01