‘A Room in the Castle’: HER Version of Hamlet, Now at The Folger

Folger Theatre’s A Room in the Castle offers a bold and compelling reimagining of Hamlet, shifting the focus from the Prince of Denmark to the women who have long lingered in the margins of Shakespeare’s tragedy.

Written by Lauren M. Gunderson and directed by Kaja Dunn, this feminist retelling breathes new life into Ophelia, Gertrude, and the original character of Anna, Ophelia’s devoted handmaid. The production, a collaboration between Folger Theatre and the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, is currently on stage at the historic Folger Shakespeare Library through April 6, 2025.

Gunderson’s script is at its best when it delves into the inner lives of these women, granting them the autonomy and vitality so often denied them in traditional Shakespearean interpretations. Ophelia, played with depth and determination by Sabrina Lynne Sawyer, is no longer just a tragic figure driven mad by love — but a woman fighting for her own destiny. Oneika Phillips brings a regal yet deeply conflicted presence to Queen Gertrude, while Burgess Byrd as Anna provides a grounded and resolute perspective, adding richness to this world. Together, their performances form the emotional core of the play, crafting a story that is both intimate and resonant.

Dunn’s direction ensures that A Room in the Castle balances weighty themes with moments of humor and hope. While the play is steeped in tragedy, it does not wallow in it. Instead, it offers a thoroughly modern alternative narrative—one in which the women’s voices are heard, their choices matter, and their fates are not solely determined by the men around them.

This fresh perspective is amplified by a striking design team: Samantha Reno’s set design, evocative yet uncluttered, keeps the focus on the characters, while Nicole Jescinth Smith’s costumes subtly reinforce the play’s themes of confinement and self-determination.

But while blasting the Bard’s work into 2025 has its merits, A Room in the Castle is not without its challenges.

Gunderson’s sharp dialogue and thematic exploration are engaging, but there are moments when the play’s message risks overshadowing its storytelling. Some scenes feel more like a contemporary feminist manifesto than a natural evolution of Shakespeare’s world, and at times, likely due to the limited cast of three, characters must articulate their struggles rather than allowing the drama to unfold organically.

Still, A Room in the Castle is an ambitious and thought-provoking production that, alongside other reimaginings of Shakespeare’s works, successfully challenges audiences to reconsider the roles of women in his time… and ours. It is a play that, much like its protagonists, refuses to be confined by the past. By foregrounding Ophelia, Gertrude, and Anna, Gunderson and Dunn have crafted a narrative that is not just a response to Hamlet, but a declaration of independence from it. This production is a welcome addition to the ongoing conversation about gender, power, and storytelling in classical theatre, making it a must-see for those eager to experience Shakespeare through a fresh and vital lens.

“In this current moment, a story about women fighting for liberation, finding autonomy, and helping the next generation thrive feels incredibly urgent and relevant,” says director Kaja Dunn. “We have the unique opportunity to examine who the women in Shakespeare are, who’s been telling their stories, and how that shapes how we see ourselves. Collaborating with Lauren [Gunderson] has allowed us to envision a world we aspire to create and actively bring it to life.”

“A play about women defying a rotten patriarchy by ripping a hole in the fabric of their suffocating story is certainly the work I want to be doing right now,” shares Gunderson. “Because this play is anything but hopeless and tragic. These women of this play—the characters, the actors, and the women-led creative team—aren’t holding a mirror up to nature. We’re shattering the glass.”

A Room in the Castle is on stage at Folger Theatre through April 6, 2025. Tickets are $20-$84. Runtime: Approximately 85 minutes with no intermission.