Product reviews for Barbecuing Hamlet

"We LOVE Pat Cook plays. We chose 'Barbecuing Hamlet' and 'The Taming of Judge Roy Bean' for two summer camp productions back to back partly because we had a fabulous Western set that we used for both productions.  We love Pat Cook, his plays are challenging...comedy is HARD! The students learn character development, physicality, timing, and all the other aspects you need to learn to fully present a play. There are lots of opportunities in this show for sight gags, audience participation and really, just a very good time for both the cast and the audience. We had two full houses for our show and are now working on 'Judge Roy Bean.' I love how easy Eldridge makes things, easy to get scripts, rights and very affordable for a small non-profit such as ourselves. Service is always terrific and the shows are always great." -- K.R., Spindrift School of Performing Arts, Pacifica, CA

"The first time our cast read through this play we could hardly manage it because everyone was laughing so hard. It just got funnier and funnier. The sets, costumes, props were all so easy. There was a lot of dialogue for people to learn but each one of the characters was interesting and funny in their own way. Some plays have the main characters who are important, but this one highlighted everyone. Some of the comments we had from our audience were, 'I really need to go home. My face is hurting from laughing so hard.' 'I laughed so hard for so long I used up almost a whole package of tissues.'  'I laughed so much from the start to the finish I almost had an accident.'  Even now almost two weeks later, I think back over the play and can't help from laughing. Cast and audience members are pleading with me to do another of Pat Cook's. It was truly a fabulous time that was had by all!!!" -- C.A., Director, Johnston Heights Church, Surrey, British Columbia

"It was a hit. My students loved performing it and our audience grew each night. What a success!" --B.P. Director, Chippewa Drama Dept., Doylestown, OH

"This is a wonderful play - the first that I have ever done that was embraced by 100% of the students. What is amazing is that their performance of Cook's 'Titanic, Tragedy and Trial' last November was also excellent. I didn't make the connection with the author until after I had ordered 'Barbecuing Hamlet.' Pat Cook is a marvel!" --  J.C. (Director)

"Our production went very well and received much appreciation from the audience! This was our third production at our church and our third Pat Cook production. We had much success with the other two that we decided to give this one a try also because we enjoyed the story line." -- C.S., Director, LCUMC Arts Council, Galena, OH

"It's a great show to do for high school. Sets were minimal and costuming was easy. Also, there is some flexibility in casting. My students really loved doing it and I never got tired watching it." --G.A., Prairie View HS, Lacygne, KS

"Such an easy show to produce: minimal props and set; costumes are easily modified to reflect Old West vs. true medieval 'Hamlet' milieu. Absolutely uproarious fun - heard often 'funniest show you've ever done'!" --  B.O., Seton Catholic Preparatory High, Chandler, AZ

A serious show within a comedic show.

A community theater council hires a big time "New York director" to direct HAMLET, but, the council knows nothing about the HAMLET. When only 6 (ish) people show up to audition, hilarity ensues. Obstacle after obstacle occur, and the show just gets funnier and funnier.

Our small town community theater just performed this show, and we laughed through the entire read through and all of the rehearsals that followed. For the first time, we had complete strangers come back for a second viewing of the show. We had familiar audience members tell us that they would be going about their day and just laugh at what they saw in the show the night before. All of the cast, crew, and directors had a fantastic time putting this show together. There are a few jokes that flew right over everyone's head, but they are easily forgotten when the next hilarious moment happens. Those hilarious moments just build and build.

I cannot recommend this show enough! We had a great time!