Hamlet Globe to Globe: Two Years, 193,000 Miles, 197 Countries, One Play

London's Globe Theatre celebrated the 450th anniversary of William Shakespeare's birth in a most global manner: by taking the play Hamlet to every countries on the planet (even North Korea), an amazing journey that spanned two years and covered 193,000 miles. Former Globe artistic director Dromgoole begins with the idea and bringing it to fruition: why Hamlet was the first choice, followed by finding financing, actors, and rehearsals. Half the cast was nonwhite, including both actors who portrayed Hamlet. Performances began in Europe, then moved to the Baltics, Latin America, and so on. There were translation problems, food poisonings, Ebola, and hotels, transportation, and politics to deal with. As part of these travels, we learn more about Hamlet, as Dromgoole brings an understanding of where the play is being performed to how the audience has perceived it. Perhaps one of the most fascinating chapters concerns the performance in Cambodia, home of the communist Pol Pot regime and infamous Killing Fields.