Tues. Oct. 9 - Sun. Oct. 21

Shakespeare’s famed Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, famously suggested that “there is nothing either good or ?bad, but thinking makes it so.” While this may be true, when the speaker comes from as close to his source as possible, it is safe to assume that the result will be more good than bad.That is why Boston is so fortunate to receive a visit from the company from Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. From October 9-21, the talented team that usually performs in front of standing-room audiences in London will come to the Paramount Center Mainstage in downtown Boston to participate in the 2012-13 season at ArtsEmerson

While it is a privilege to see the Bard’s “home team” perform, it is all the more so to hear from the dramatic Dane himself. When asked how he approached this most famous of roles and what may be different about this production, Michael Benz (who will play the troubled prince in the Boston production) says, “It's fast paced and tripping on the tongue,” and that, despite the theme of indecision, “there's not a lot of dwelling.” Benz also suggests that this production will offer a more youthful rendition of Hamlet that is rarely resented. Significant script edits and live music will also propel the action forward.

As they are the classical Shakespeare company, the Globe oft uses traditional casting tools such as doubling, in which one actor plays multiple roles. In this production, everyone plays multiple characters, except for Benz who will portray Hamlet alone, as he has been in so many acclaimed productions.

While thousands travel to the “wooden O” (as The Globe is often accurately called) every year to stand in the pit at the foot of the stage and take in a play as it was “meant” to be, Benz explains that touring is nothing new in the theatre world. “Touring was part of an actor's life 400 years ago,” Benz notes, “and Shakespeare would have known that. Productions just like ours went all over the UK.”

As this tour will take Benz and his talented troupe all the way across North America, he says he is especially looking forward to performing in front of a diverse set of American audiences.“American audiences are so much fun,” he smiles “It's fantastic to hear how the comedy works in different ways. Sometimes they laugh at things that our UK audiences never laughed at. And vice-versa.”

Tix: $79-$25. Showtimes: Tues-Thurs. 7:30, Friday and Saturday at 8, Sunday at 7. Matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2.

- Matt Robinson
 
559 Washinton St., 617-824-8400 www.ArtsEmerson.org