
Show Finder
Gertrude: The Cry
First Preview: Jun 30, 2014
Opening Date: Jun 30, 2014
Closing Date: Aug 5, 2014
Running Time: 02:25
Playing @
Atlantic Stage 2
330 West 16th Street, New York City, NY 10011
GERTRUDE: THE CRY is Howard Barker's startling and revealing response to Hamlet.
This entirely new story exposes the sexual nature of the crime at the heart of Shakespeare's play. Powerful poetic language, provocative ideas and rich, dark humor build a compelling and erotic study of the sexuality and secrecy that seethe below the surface of Hamlet. Gertrude swells with a passion that counters all morality. The play explores a favorite Barker theme – the lust for individuation – for freedom from the oppression of licensed behavior. In this new world of Elsinore, Howard Barker defends Hamlet's reviled mother and her adulterous affair with Claudius, depicting them as lovers driven beyond reason.
The play had its world premiere in 2002, directed by the author, in the great hall of Elsinore Castle, Denmark as part of the annual international Hamlet Festival.
This entirely new story exposes the sexual nature of the crime at the heart of Shakespeare's play. Powerful poetic language, provocative ideas and rich, dark humor build a compelling and erotic study of the sexuality and secrecy that seethe below the surface of Hamlet. Gertrude swells with a passion that counters all morality. The play explores a favorite Barker theme – the lust for individuation – for freedom from the oppression of licensed behavior. In this new world of Elsinore, Howard Barker defends Hamlet's reviled mother and her adulterous affair with Claudius, depicting them as lovers driven beyond reason.
The play had its world premiere in 2002, directed by the author, in the great hall of Elsinore Castle, Denmark as part of the annual international Hamlet Festival.
Show Notes: Show runs in repertory with Pentecost. Check show website for performance dates/times
Age Guidance: 16
TDF Tickets Offers:
TDF Member tickets:
Not currently available for this show
Listed at 
Never
Full-price tickets:
$18.00 - $35.00
Reviews
-
“…there is something magnificently shameless about Barker as a writer - just as there is about Gertrude as a woman. In the end he offers us the same choice as Gertrude: plunging over the cliff of ecstasy or dying quietly in a stinking bed in a stinking hospital. We would all choose what she chooses.”
- The Guardian
-
“…there is something magnificently shameless about Barker as a writer - just as there is about Gertrude as a woman. In the end he offers us the same choice as Gertrude: plunging over the cliff of ecstasy or dying quietly in a stinking bed in a stinking hospital. We would all choose what she chooses.”
- The Guardian
-
“…there is something magnificently shameless about Barker as a writer - just as there is about Gertrude as a woman. In the end he offers us the same choice as Gertrude: plunging over the cliff of ecstasy or dying quietly in a stinking bed in a stinking hospital. We would all choose what she chooses.”
- The Guardian
-
“…there is something magnificently shameless about Barker as a writer - just as there is about Gertrude as a woman. In the end he offers us the same choice as Gertrude: plunging over the cliff of ecstasy or dying quietly in a stinking bed in a stinking hospital. We would all choose what she chooses.”
- The Guardian
Accessibility
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Assisted Listening System
Equipped with an Infrared Assisted Listening system. Please see a House Manager in the basement of Stage 2 to obtain an Assisted Listening Devices; , provide ID -
Box Office
The box office at Atlantic Stage 2 is at street level and does not require any steps -
Elevator/Escalator
A wheelchair lift and elevator will bring patrons with limited mobility from the lobby to the theater. -
Entrance
3 steps, available wheelchair lift and elevator Doors to theatre are opened manually by patrons -
Restroom
Both Men’s & Women’s: theatre level, accessible from lobby without stairs / Wheelchair-accessible stall, sink, paper towel dispenser, and changing table -
Telephone
None on premises -
Water Fountain
Located on the same level as the theater. -
Wheelchair Info
Wheelchair accessible seats are located in row AA. Seats in row A, in addition to seats in row AA, do not require steps to access. Our Box Office and House Management staff will gladly assist you -
Folding Armrests
None available -
Parking
Limited street parking. • Parking: ipark, 250 W. 19th St. .2 miles away, ramp, $21 for the night, hourly before 4PM -
Passenger Loading Zone
Front of Entrance - limited -
Visual Assistance
None available








