Children's Theatre group plan 3d Shakespeare movie

Published on 14 August 2009 by Jonathan Dudley

Hamlet is to be transformed into a 3D musical movie by Elsinore Films and theatre company, Shakespeare 4 Kidz.

The film comes as part of a deal which will see six of Shakespeare's greatest works adapted for the screen, targeting the usually bard-averse "tween" market. Following the release of Hamlet, kids can look forward to adaptations of Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night and The Tempest.

Hamlet is to be directed by dramatist and former Brookside and Grange Hill writer, John Godber (pictured) and produced by Mark Thomas. The duo previously worked together on a film adaptation of Up 'n' Under.

The film, which hopes to feature a ghost which floats over the audience and cannon fire that flies into the cinema, is to be co-produced by Shakespeare 4 Kidz's Julian Chenery, founder of the company. Chenery described making a version of Hamlet for children as "the ultimate test for the Shakespeare 4 Kidz company".

Release dates and casting for the upcoming 3D musical Shakespearean extravaganza are, as of yet, unconfirmed.