Maurice Evans as Hamlet. Shakespeare on the Stage; an Illustrated History of Shakespearian Performance (1973) by Robert Speaight pages 170 and 226. Robert Speaight (1904-1976) was a British actor and writer. He was an early performer (from 1927) in radio plays. He went on to Shakespearean roles, and to direct. He also wrote criticism and essays, works on the theatre and biography. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is a tragedy by William Shakespeare and one of his most well-known and oft-quoted plays. It was written at an uncertain date between 1600 and the summer of 1602. Hamlet may be the most often produced work in almost every western country and it is considered a crucial test for mature actors.