All the world’s a stage: Shakespeare’s Globe launches ‘Hamlet’ tour to every nation on Earth

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An actor performs a scene from William Shakespeare\'s Hamlet for members of the media during a photo call to present Hamlet at Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, London, Wednesday, April 23, 2014. Four centuries after his death, William Shakespeare is probably Britain\'s best-known export, his words and characters famous around the world. Shakespeare\'s Globe theater is setting out to test the Bard\'s maxim that "all the world\'s a stage" by taking "Hamlet" to every country on Earth world, more than 200 in all. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

LONDON – Four centuries after his death, William Shakespeare is probably Britain’s best-known export, his words and characters famous around the world.

Shakespeare’s Globe theatre is setting out to test the Bard’s maxim that “all the world’s a stage” by taking “Hamlet” to every country on Earth, more than 200 in all.

The company describes the plan as “insanely ambitious.” Some suspect it’s impossible, and Amnesty International has weighed in to point out the “dark irony” of taking a play about a conscience-troubled prince to authoritarian North Korea.

“Hamlet” opens Wednesday with the first of three performances at the Globe.

Then the 16-strong cast and crew will board a schooner for Amsterdam, starting a journey that will take them to seven continents by plane, boat, train, bus and jeep.

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