Director Note: BEDLAM’S HAMLET
4th Wall Theatre Company’s production of HAMLET by William Shakespeare and adapted by BEDLAM Theatre opens May 2 and must close May 24, 2025. You can learn more about the show and reserve tickets at this link.
It’s hard to believe it’s been nine years since BEDLAM’s companion piece to HAMLET, SAINT JOAN, arrived at our theatre—an experience people still talk about today. I’ve been fortunate to maintain a relationship with Eric Tucker and BEDLAM, working with him in NYC and trying to bring his inspiration and vision home to 4th Wall.
What you’re about to see is largely a restaging of BEDLAM’S HAMLET. I hope I’ve brought Eric’s production into fruition with a loving and guiding hand, while inspiring our Houston actors to make these roles their own and infuse this visionary work with our distinct acting aesthetic. Like SAINT JOAN, it’s fast-paced and densely packed—inviting you from the start to embrace a production that strips away anything not serving the language or story.
This is also an almost entirely uncut HAMLET, which is rare. Presented in three acts, running about three hours, and performed by just four actors—it’s an experience you’re unlikely to have again. Too often, audiences only see a fraction of this legendary, tragic, and truly brilliant story. The artists’ work began months ago and continued through fi ve intense weeks of rehearsal. Their dedication and skill continue to amaze me.
It is my great joy to deepen our relationship with BEDLAM and expand on what 4th Wall can offer. My deepest thanks to Eric Tucker for entrusting us with his vision.
Settle in—this is a ride you won’t forget.
Kim Tobin-Lehl
Director of HAMLET
Kim Tobin-Lehl is a co-founder of 4th Wall Theatre and the company’s first Resident Artist. Kim is thrilled to be directing BEDLAM’S HAMLET for 4th Wall. Her directing credits are extensive, most recently Kim was in NYC co-directing WAKE UP with Eric Tucker and assistant directing ARCADIA at BEDLAM. At 4th Wall her credits include but are not limited to: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, THE WINTER’S TALE, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, LOBBY HERO, JESUS HOPPED THE ‘A’ TRAIN, TRUE WEST, DISGRACED, and SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS. She is an award-winning director with credits in Houston, NYC, and LA. Her work locally as an actor is extensive and she has appeared at Stages, A.D. Players, Mildred’s Umbrella, and Texas Repertory. Kim has a signifi cant list of Off Broadway/Off-Off Broadway credits and LA stage/film/TV credits. She also wrote and starred in The Barrow Group’s production of her original one woman show, INSIDE OUT. In New York, Kim was an offi cer with the New Mercury Theatre Company, where she produced and starred in the 1995 revival of A LIE OF THE MIND. She was Co-Artistic Director of Blue Sphere Alliance East Theatre in NYC. Kim has a BA in Acting & Directing from the University of Houston (Summa Cum Laude). Her conservatory training includes Stella Adler, Circle In The Square, The Barrow Group, and years of training with Gene Frankel and Sandy Marshall, among others. Kim is a highly sought-after acting and directing teacher. Kim is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA. Learn more about Kim at: kim-tobin.com
