This afternoon, my wife and I took our three teenage children to see the Pioneer Theater Company's production of Hamlet. The highest praise that I think possible for this production is to report that my 12 year old son enjoyed the performance and understood the story.
Many people are first exposed to Shakespeare though the mandatory 9th grade reading of Romeo and Juliet and are turned off by struggling to work through the early modern English prose and poetry. Other are told that Shakespeare's works are "the greatest literature in the English language," and are scared that they might have to think to understand the bard as "literary" work. More's the pity.
While Shakespeare's work is wonderful literature, Shakespeare's work was meant to be performed and watched by an audience, not read. The plays weren't even published until after the playwright's death. While the themes are deep and thought provoking, the 16th Century audience also demanded entertainment, and the Bard of Avon did not disappoint his audience, noble or common.
PTC's Hamlet is the kind of production that could change the minds of many who eschew Shakespeare. The story is timeless, and this production places it in near modern day. The dialog is well interpreted and the actors, to the smallest part, make us understand what the words mean. Yes, some of the double entendre was lost on the children (as well as some of the adults), but these are merely spices that garnish, not major parts of the story.
As we walked back to the car after the performance, my 13 year old daughter, commented that, "Hamlet was a smart alec." Indeed he was. Michael Crane's interpretation of Hamlet's interactions with his uncle Claudius was priceless. As was his feigned madness. I was a bit disappointed with the "To be or not to be" soliloquy, but then I have yet to see it interpreted the way I would, so no points off there. And it was well done.
Highlights: Noble Shropshire was a hoot as Polonius, as Nisi Sturgis as the mad with grieving Ophelia. She played both the love struck maiden, and the spurned girl to perfection.
In fact, I was reminded of something my old high school drama teacher once told me, "The closer you get to perfection, the more the little things stand out." Some of the little things (and they are so tiny, I only mention them to demonstrate how close to perfection the play is): Soldiers that don't know how to stand at attention or make sharp corners when marching, chairs placed against the wall with their seats facing the wall, and I couldn't quite make myself believe the ship set.
If you are a Shakespeare fan, this production is a must see. If you usually avoid Shakespeare because of bad memories from High School, then this is a production you should see to clear the toxic waste of 9th Grade English and be put right. Thinking will provide more value than not thinking, but this show is enjoyable either way. (Though I do suggest watching with the brain engaged.)
Many people are first exposed to Shakespeare though the mandatory 9th grade reading of Romeo and Juliet and are turned off by struggling to work through the early modern English prose and poetry. Other are told that Shakespeare's works are "the greatest literature in the English language," and are scared that they might have to think to understand the bard as "literary" work. More's the pity.
While Shakespeare's work is wonderful literature, Shakespeare's work was meant to be performed and watched by an audience, not read. The plays weren't even published until after the playwright's death. While the themes are deep and thought provoking, the 16th Century audience also demanded entertainment, and the Bard of Avon did not disappoint his audience, noble or common.
PTC's Hamlet is the kind of production that could change the minds of many who eschew Shakespeare. The story is timeless, and this production places it in near modern day. The dialog is well interpreted and the actors, to the smallest part, make us understand what the words mean. Yes, some of the double entendre was lost on the children (as well as some of the adults), but these are merely spices that garnish, not major parts of the story.
As we walked back to the car after the performance, my 13 year old daughter, commented that, "Hamlet was a smart alec." Indeed he was. Michael Crane's interpretation of Hamlet's interactions with his uncle Claudius was priceless. As was his feigned madness. I was a bit disappointed with the "To be or not to be" soliloquy, but then I have yet to see it interpreted the way I would, so no points off there. And it was well done.
Highlights: Noble Shropshire was a hoot as Polonius, as Nisi Sturgis as the mad with grieving Ophelia. She played both the love struck maiden, and the spurned girl to perfection.
In fact, I was reminded of something my old high school drama teacher once told me, "The closer you get to perfection, the more the little things stand out." Some of the little things (and they are so tiny, I only mention them to demonstrate how close to perfection the play is): Soldiers that don't know how to stand at attention or make sharp corners when marching, chairs placed against the wall with their seats facing the wall, and I couldn't quite make myself believe the ship set.
If you are a Shakespeare fan, this production is a must see. If you usually avoid Shakespeare because of bad memories from High School, then this is a production you should see to clear the toxic waste of 9th Grade English and be put right. Thinking will provide more value than not thinking, but this show is enjoyable either way. (Though I do suggest watching with the brain engaged.)
Comments
Glad you enjoyed,
Kirsten
from PTC