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PLAYING
THE PALACE BRIEF SYNOPSIS Prologue
 We meet our traveling players, Soren, their leader, Valentina Ponti, a
diva-actress, Henning, a handsome ladies man, and Kaj, a character
actor/inventor. The Prologue finds them stranded on the road, having fled their
last engagement due to unpaid bills. While the members of the troupe bicker,
Soren realizes that they are not far from Elsinore. They repair their broken
wagon and off they go.
Act One
 The troupe makes their stay at an inn near Elsinore. The woman who owns the
inn, Fru Gerdes, is hesitant to rent rooms to the actors, especially after Ponti
issues a list of demands. Soren, through some fast-talking, is able to make the
deal. The retired Judge Lander, who had seen Ponti perform years before, begins
a conversation with her that ultimately leads to romance. The prince (Hamlet)
arrives at the inn and in a variation on the scene in Shakespeare entreats the
players to come “play the palace. His script changes make it impossible for only
four players to perform. In seeking out another player, the troupe engages the
help of Jens, a teenage boy who works at the inn. He is given the small role of
the murderer. The end of the first act finds our players outside, admiring their
wagon newly decorated by an endowment from the prince. Much to the consternation
of Hamlet's minister, Polonius, they head off for their performance in bright
spirits, feeling this is the beginning of a new future for the "Elsinore
Players."
Act Two
 Although Hamlet had instructed them to have fine accommodations, Polonius'
will has reigned and the players are putting on their makeup in a small, dank
room near the dungeons. Of course, the performance is disastrous and ends in a
shambles. Jens is convinced it is his fault, but Ponti feels the time has come
to call it quits. Back at the inn, Ponti, decides she will retire and settle
down with Judge Lander. Soren, who cannot bear to lose her, but also cannot
confess his love for her is distraught. The next morning finds him sleeping with
his head on a table when soldiers come to arrest him for the murder of Polonius.
It seems a sword was found near the body bearing Soren's name on it - a sword he
had earlier given to Hamlet as a memento of thanks. The rustics of the inn and
the players band together to fight off the soldiers. In the battle, Soren
accidentally kills one of the soldiers. Just as another soldier is about to run
him through, the ghost of the king appears at the top of the stairs, scaring the
remaining soldiers away. The ghost is revealed to be Jens, who has saved the
day. Soren confesses his love for Ponti and she realizes she doesn't want to
leave him. She bids a farewell to Judge Lander as the troupe prepares to make
another escape, knowing the soldiers will be back. Jens wants to join them, but
Soren feels it will be too dangerous and that the boy's place is at the inn.
Shortly after their leave, a messenger arrives from the Palace with a note and a
box for the players. Jens takes them and runs off after the players.
Epilogue
 Back on the road, the wagon is broken again. Jens runs up and the players
eagerly open the letter, which reads:
My dear friend,
You will never know the course of events you have
transformed through your art. I truly regret that things did not turn out as you
had planned, but rest assured, your performance has affected many lives this
day. It is best that your travels take you away from Elsinore.
May heaven guide you as you travel on, the Strolling Players, evermore.
With gratitude,
Hamlet,
Prince of Denmark.
Postscript: Please accept this gold for your trouble.
 The box contains more gold than they have ever seen. As they set off again,
Jens stands to the side, sadly watching them go. Before they have rounded the
bend, Soren calls to him to join them and Jens takes his place as one of "those
that play the clowns."
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