FROM THE STAGE WEBSITE
by Matthew Hemley

A musical version of Hamlet by theatre company Shakespeare 4 Kidz is to be turned into a 3D film, as part of a deal that will see six of the organisation’s plays adapted for the screen.

The theatre company is working with Elsinore Films to create the six screen versions of its Shakespeare adaptations, with Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night and The Tempest to follow.

Hamlet is being directed by John Godber and produced by Mark Thomas from Elsinore Films. The pair previously worked together on Godber’s film version of Up ‘n’ Under.

The film is being co-produced by Julian Chenery, founder of Shakespeare 4 Kidz, who said: “Creating a Hamlet for children was the ultimate test for the Shakespeare 4 Kidz company. We are thrilled that the team of Mark Thomas, John Godber and Michael Cowan are able to help bring this unique idea to the big screen.”

Thomas added that he had “long admired” the work of the theatre company and said he was “delighted that funding opportunities have presented themselves so readily”.

As well as the films, Elsinore has developed a television show called Movie Quest - A Romeo 4 Juliet, which will involve a public search to find two actors to play the leads of Romeo and Juliet.

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