Mac Hamlear

5m, 5f, 3m/f; 2m jnr, 3f jnr

Adult (13)

• Mac (m) – aged 30+ - a butcher’s assistant
• Beth (f) – Mac’s wife – aged 30 +
• The Three Homeless Ones/Three Drinkers/Three Murderers  - any age/gender
• Goneril Lear (f) – eldest daughter of Ken  Lear – aged 25+
• Regan Lear (f) – second daughter of Ken Lear – aged 20+
• Ken Lear (m) – Landlord of The Kings Head – aged late 50’s
• Claude Elsinore (m) – Hamlet’s Uncle and second husband of Gertrude – aged 50
• Gertrude Elsinore (f) – Hamlet’s mother and wife to Claude – aged 50
• Edmund (m) – from Gloucester – aged 20+
• Genara Banquo (f) – aged 35
• Duncan/Doctor (m) – aged 40+

 Young People (5)

• Cordelia Lear (f) – youngest daughter of Ken Lear – aged 16 – 18
• Hamlet Elsinore (m) – aged 16
• Rosie Krantz (f) – former friend of Hamlet – aged 16
• Gill (hard “G”) Denstone (m) – former friend of Hamlet – aged 16
• Fleance Banquo (f) – aged 12/13

Theatre Royal Bath - 2011
Bath Chronicle - Machamlear: A Hilariously Grand Shakespearean Mash-Up!
Machamlear, the ambitious and wildly entertaining new production by the Theatre Royal Bath's Engage Company, proved to be the undisputed highlight of the Shakespeare Unplugged Festival at The Egg Theatre. Writer Dougie Blaxland and director Heidi Vaughan have achieved something truly ingenious: a seamless and side-splitting combination of the three great tragedies—Macbeth, Hamlet, and King Lear—with results that had the sold-out audience roaring with laughter. 

This is Shakespeare stripped down and amped up, retaining the core dramatic beats while layering on elements of farce and incredibly clever wordplay. The plot careers wonderfully between the murderous ambition of the Scottish Thane, the existential angst of the Danish Prince, and the heart-breaking folly of the aged King, all colliding on one chaotic stage. The comedic payoff comes from the unexpected interactions and the modern, witty dialogue that undercuts the high drama of the source material. 

The sheer scale of the production is impressive. Featuring a huge cast, the stage was alive with energy, enthusiasm, and superb comic timing. The large ensemble navigated the complex, interwoven narrative with remarkable clarity, ensuring that even Shakespeare novices could keep up with the chaotic fun.

Machamlear is, quite simply, great fun. The performance was not just well-received; it was a phenomenon. The energy in the theatre was electric, culminating in a well-deserved and spontaneous standing ovation from the entire house.