# The Revenge of Gertrude

## Metadata

- Slug: the-revenge-of-gertrude
- Type: Short Play
- Genre: Comedy
- Acts: 1 act
- Duration: ≤20 minutes
- Cast:
  - Medium (7-14)
  - Large (15+)
- Cast Summary: 9-40+. 3F, 6-8 any (played as M), plus two expandable ensembles of any size, and one dead body.
- Movement Requirements: Flexible - involves a swordfight.
- Technical Requirements: Minimal
- Suitable For:
  - Community Theatre
  - College/University
  - High School/Secondary
- Primary Image: https://content.uproartheatrics.com/fhflrx8j0uizzoi6dhdjgxwh4z0w

---

## Authors

- By [Laura Neill](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/md/authors/laura-neill)

## Overview

**Gertrude switched poison for honey at the end of Hamlet, no one is dead... and she's ready to rule. ** *How is nobody dead?! Doesn't HAMLET end with a pile of bodies?* Join our queen as the scene opens on a pile of (actually not dead) bodies, and marvel as she single-handedly manages to take back the power and choose what happens next.
Also, buckle up for swashbuckling, because this fantastically funny farce may or may not involve pirates. Just...read the plot right below.
**Did this ‘lil nugget just make you hungry for more? *The Revenge of Gertrude* appears in the full-length collection [Almost Tragic: Shakespeare's Not-Dead Heroines](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/shows/almost-tragic), featuring four Shakespeare sequels brimming with laugh-out-loud humor and exceptional roles for women.

## Plot

It's the end of Hamlet, and no one's dead except Claudius. Gertrude swapped out Laertes's poison for honey, and she's just about done with all these dumb boys and their plans. Fortinbras attempts to claim the throne, but starts crying when he realizes everyone is alive and he doesn't get to be king of Denmark. Who will be king? Gertrude waits to see if anyone will remember the kingdom has a queen. They don't. She poisons them all again—this time with a sleeping potion—so they can accept her rule from the dungeons. Except a furious Ophelia and her band of warrior maidens storm the throne room, demanding justice for Polonius' death (like Laertes originally wanted to—remember?) (Did you really think Ophelia drowned in a creek you can stand up in?!?). Ophelia only gets more furious upon seeing her brother lying there unconscious. Ophelia and Gertrude swordfight. Gertrude works in edgewise that she didn't actually kill Laertes and he's only sleeping. Admiring each other's sword skills, Ophelia and Gertrude decide to leave the kingdom to its own mess and go become pirates. Ophelia will come back to duel Hamlet when he's awake, but for now... the high seas await.

## Cast

| Name | Description |
| ---- | ---- |
| A NOTE ON CASTING: | All roles can be played by female or non-binary actors, regardless of the character’s gender. |
| GERTRUDE | Queen of Denmark. Really, really tired of dealing with all these men. |
| OPHELIA | Not dead and ready to take revenge on Hamlet for killing her dad. *Can double as Fortinbras or Ambassador. |
| HAMLET | Prince of Denmark. So ready to be dead, and confused when he's not. |
| HORATIO | Hamlet's buddy. |
| LAERTES | Ophelia's brother. Originally planned to kill Hamlet but then felt bad about it and now he's alive and confused. |
| OSRIC | Court dude. |
| FORTINBRAS | Crown Prince of Norway. Really psyched about becoming King of Denmark. |
| AMBASSADOR | Fortinbras' ambassador to Denmark. Holds Fortinbras' hand through political stuff. |
| WARRIOR MAIDSERVANT 1 | One of Ophelia's entourage. Has a couple lines. *Can double as Courtier 1. |
| COURTIER 1 | A courtier in the court of Denmark. Has a couple lines. *Can double as Warrior Maidservant 1. |
| COURTIER 2 | A courtier in the court of Denmark. Has a couple lines. |
| CLAUDIUS | Live actor or a prop. Claudius is the one person in this play who's actually dead. You just need a body. Option to have someone playing the body twitch and moan until Gertrude's “thankfully, he's really dead.”  |
| COURTIERS | Non-speaking ensemble, as many as you'd like. |
| WARRIOR MAIDSERVANTS | Ophelia's entourage. Only speak to cheer for her. As many as you'd like. |

## Materials

### Available for additional fee:

| Name | Description |
| ---- | ----------- |
| Video Recording License | License to create an archival recording of the show that may be distributed to the cast and crew. This does not allow publicly posting the performance. |
| 60-Minute Talkback with the Creator | A 60-minute Zoom/Google Meet with one or more of the show's creator(s). Licensees and guests can ask questions, share experiences, and hear about the artistic journey of the show and creative team. This can be scheduled before or after the performances. If we are unable to make scheduling work, the cost will be refunded. |

## Links

- [View HTML page](https://www.uproartheatrics.com/shows/the-revenge-of-gertrude)