Actors Turn Grand Theft Auto Online Into a Stage for Shakespeare’s Hamlet

The documentary 'Grand Theft Hamlet' showcases a pandemic-era experiment where actors performed Shakespeare's tragedy entirely within the virtual world of GTA Online.

British actors Sam Crane and Mark Oosterveen conceived the idea during COVID-19 lockdowns, using GTA Online to connect and perform while theaters were shuttered.
The film, co-directed by Crane and his wife Pinny Grylls, captures the challenges of staging a full-length Hamlet in a chaotic online game environment.
The production enlisted other players, including professional actors and newcomers, to perform roles, often disrupted by in-game violence and unpredictability.
Filmed entirely within the game, the documentary blends Shakespeare’s existential themes with the chaotic, violent world of GTA, highlighting unexpected parallels.
The project, initially dismissed as a ridiculous idea, has gained critical acclaim, winning awards and resonating as a testament to creativity and community during isolation.