Another unexpected appearance of Hamlet led to today's post, the first of the year. I guess such appearances should not be too surprising, given that Hamlet is probably the most famous play ever written. Why shouldn't it pop up within the pages of one of the most famous series of children's books from England? Still, the occurrence brought a smile to my face and a post to my blog.
I decided a while back to read the entire series of Paddington books by Michael Bond. Acquisition of the Paddington Funko POP for my London display started it.
Decades ago my father had bought me several entries in the series, and they sat unread in a book cabinet for a long time. (I was a kid then. Now, just a kid at heart, I suppose.) Call the endeavor a bit of catching up for lost time.
The title in question is Paddington Races Ahead (2012). Chapter Six, "Paddington Flies a Kite," finds our ursine hero at a picnic in the park. He and his adopted family come upon an open-air theatre doing Hamlet. Paddington's first thought is that it sounds "like a small ham sandwich." The family clarifies the play for him, although I'll admit that their summary confused me at first read. I agreed with Paddington's assessment: "It sounds very complicated." Yorick is described as getting "killed by mistake"; not sure about that one. In any event, the remainder of the action will be left for the curious reader. As one might expect if one knows Paddington, the play does not go smoothly, but everything works out in the end.
One comment within the family's description of the play rang very true.
"It's really a play about a man who couldn't make up his mind," explained Judy. "'To be or not to be' is one of Hamlet's great lines. Actors often milk it for all it's worth and make it last forever."
I may have seen one those productions!
