Jean Sarment

The Marriage of Hamlet: a Play in Three Acts Jean Sarment

In this fantasy play, the prophet Abraham prevails upon God Almighty to restore Hamlet and his friends to life, seventeen years after the events recorded in William Shakespeare's classic drama, Hamlet. Thus, the great tragic hero now has a chance to redeem himself, and find some happiness (perhaps!) with Ophelia/Phelia. Jean Sarment (the pseudonym of Jean Bellemère, 1897-1976) was a well-known French actor and playwright. In his youth, he was associated with Copeau's theatre, where he wrote many dramas, including Le Mariage d'Hamlet (1922), in which he played the lead role himself. Reviewer Paul Souday labeled the piece "charming, full of clever wit, with dialogue of great quality." The play is loaded with irony, and is perhaps the most original adaptation of Shakespeare's character in all of French drama.