Since its publication in 1603, Shakespeare’s Hamlet has been interpreted and reinterpreted in thousands of different ways. The newest production of Hamlet, however, has a twist Shakespeare could never have predicted: the cast is made up entirely of pugs, from Hamlet, dubbed “Puglet,” to Ophelia and King Claudius. Puglet will feature over a dozen pugs, which have been auditioned from across the United States. Due to language restrictions, the actors’ lines will be read from offstage by human volunteers.

Like consumer 3D printers and Madison’s new bookstore, Short Stories, Puglet was made possible by Kickstarter. For James Broccoli, the organizer and creator of the production, Puglet is a goal long in the making. “For years,” Broccoli comments, “I’ve dreamed of mounting one of Shakespeare’s most glorious works with nature’s most glorious creation:  The Pug.” Keeping the risks, such as the difficulty of keeping the pugs awake for the duration of the five hour play, in mind, Broccoli’s production will go on in Providence, Rhode Island, on September 26th. For those hopeful audience members who won’t be able to make it to the Contemporary Theatre Company, Puglet will be available to livestream for a $40 fee.

“It’s Shakespeare as you have never before seen it before (and hopefully never will again),” notes Contemporary Theatre Company. In addition to showcasing the many talents of pugs, Puglet also function as a charity event; many of the canine actors in the production are available for production, and all proceeds will be donated to animal rescue organizations. “Puglet reminds us all that we are capable of perfection,” exclaims Madison senior Georgia Turvey. “I’ll definitely try to tune in.”