Flyer provided by the Hawaii Council for the Humanities.

A rollicking band of Elizabethan roustabouts descends on the Hawaii Theatre to bring William Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy of regicide and revenge masterfully to the stage.  The gifted, 21-member Hawaii Theatre Young Actors Ensemble will “hold, as ‘twere the mirror up to nature” to transform their rough-and-ready troupe into the noble characters of Hamlet. Each actor will play two roles – a male player in the itinerant company and his/her character in the play. The challenge will make for a tour-de-force adventure in classical theatre.

There’s a preshow element to the production during which the itinerant players set up their stage, unpack and place the costumes and props they have had with them “on the road,” and improvise in character with their audiences. Who knows what might happen as the Players teach simple Elizabethan pub songs and provoke spontaneous song competitions in the auditorium?

In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Hawaii Center for the Book will present “Light from Everywhere,” a free program featuring Eric Paul Shaffer at the Hawaii State Library on Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m. in the First Floor Reading Room.

Shaffer, who is a poet and novelist, will read a selection of classic and contemporary poems about finding, receiving, or seeing illumination in unusual events, people, places, and things.  Shaffer, who is also an instructor at Honolulu Community College, is the author of “Lahaina Noon,” “Portable Planet,” and “Burn & Learn.” 

This one-hour program is suitable for ages 12 and older.  Contact the Library as soon as possible if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation is needed.

The Hawaii State Library is located at 478 South King Street.  For more information, please call the Library’s Language, Literature & History Section at 586-3499.