Yesterday I was delighted to attend the first dress of East 15's (MA Actors, I believe) production of Hamlet. Here is the run down. (No Spoilers- I promise.)
Now, I know you're thinking, "It is Hamlet, everyone knows what happens, how could you spoil it?" Oh, I could. There are great surprises in this production including several moments in which I made audible sounds of surprise, alarm, and awe.
Now, I know you're thinking, "It is Hamlet, everyone knows what happens, how could you spoil it?" Oh, I could. There are great surprises in this production including several moments in which I made audible sounds of surprise, alarm, and awe.
This one-hour, 11 actor production will keep you on your toes. The hour passes very quickly and you won't want to miss a moment of it. The preview night is this Friday and I will be there full of excitement to experience this production again.
John Adams (genius) uses a traverse staging and it WORKS. (I just can't think of a better way to put it. This staging is perfection for what he has done with the script).
John Adams (genius) uses a traverse staging and it WORKS. (I just can't think of a better way to put it. This staging is perfection for what he has done with the script).
The actors are doing tremendous work. The casting of Hamlet himself is quite perfect with the actress playing Gertrude actually breaking my heart upon her death. (Alright-If you didn't know that Gertrude dies, I might have ruined something for you. But, If you didn't know that... you deserve it). Claudius made me want to jump out of my seat at one point just to get a closer look at what he was doing (I was in the front row), and Polonius and Ophelia's relationship is fascinating and infuriating (in the good way). There is so much more that I could mention (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern!!!!), but I don't want to rave so much that it becomes embarrassing. But do keep in mind- this is a first dress and I am raving. Imagine how incredible this show will be on Friday Night?!
The day before I saw Hamlet, I was lucky enough to see Boris Godunov at the RSC. It was also a wonderful production. I think the RSC does amazing work and I also appreciate that they work very hard to do different and new things. (On a side note: The Swan Theatre is one of the most beautiful spaces I have ever seen!)
Boris Godunov has echoes of Macbeth, and it is pretty interesting that the RSC is doing that and The Orphan of Zhao in the same season. The latter having been referred to as the Chinese Hamlet. The acting in Boris was phenomenal, the script is good, but takes some time to get going. The band and the sound design are absolutely breath-taking. If you are in Stratford Upon Avon, I would definitely recommend that you see it. But, if you aren't, I might recommend waiting for a later production. This is not to say the show is bad, far from it. Boris has all the production elements of an extraordinary artistic experience, but the script holds it back from complete success. And since the RSC is two hours outside the city, it might be best to wait until The Orphan of Zhao which with the RSC's casting debacle, is sure to be a very interesting production.
I have less than two weeks left in the UK, and now my energies are focused on the first reading of Balance. If you are in England, please do attend! December 3rd at 7:30 in the Dance Studio at East 15