Stage Left
Bill Lockwood
The Wild Goose Players opened their production of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy “Hamlet” at the theater in Main Street Arts, 35 Main Street, Saxtons River, last weekend. It will continue its run July 2 at 7:00 pm., July 3 at 2:00 pm., July 9 at 7:00 pm., July 10, at 2:00 pm. July 15 at 7:00 pm. and July 16 at 2:00 pm. Opening night already had a completely polished and professional look.
“The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark”, usually shortened to simply “Hamlet”, was written sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare’s longest and perhaps most well known and popular of his tragedies. It is considered by many as one of the most powerful and influential works of world literature. The audience will likely recognize many quotes that have become commonplace, like Horatio’s line, “There is something rotten in the State of Denmark.” John Hadden, however, says in his Director’s notes that, “We’re trying to sidestep the ponderous idea that ‘Hamlet’ is the greatest play ever written, and we hope that you will too, and just enjoy a good story.” No matter how deep or simple one’s analysis is, it is certainly a drama that has lasted through the ages. Hadden and actor Jim Nutter, who plays Hamlet, are certainly up to the task of taking on a play of such reputation. They have worked together before at Shakespeare and Company in the Berkshires, and Nutter is an Equity actor appearing by permission of the Union in community theater with The Wild Goose Players.
Said to be derived from a 13th Century legend, the story revolves around Hamlet, Prince of Denmark’s, revenge against his uncle who has murdered his father to seize the throne. The official publicity summarizes the plot in this way, “Armies are invading your country – and no one seems to care. The king has murdered his brother to steal the crown and marry the queen – but no one seems to care. But the queen is your mother, so what do you do?… Meanwhile the poor stiffs out in the cold guard the castle while the elites snipe at each other and let the kingdom go to the dogs. And that’s just the beginning.”
Hadden says, “Other ‘Hamlets’ tend to go the traditional way, [that’s] not happening here.” Hadden chose to develop the work over a seven month rehearsal period with the intention of creating a totally cohesive ensemble cast that “grew organically out of the group mind”. Each cast member became very well versed in the work itself. Hadden says, “and because of that, you get it.” I will certainly say it worked. Shakespeare can so often be ponderous and hard to understand. I will say individually and as an ensemble, this was the best and most engaging production of a Shakespeare tragedy, including some professional, I have ever seen. Hadden said, “I’ve been looking for such an ensemble all my life.”
Often done in Elizabethan costuming, which Hadden describes as “the street clothes of Shakespeare’s day,” he has chosen street clothes of a different era for his production, setting it in the “madmen era of corporate giants and rebellious beats”, and he has staged it in a black-box set
that offers some café table seating. He uses only two big grey boxes that are moved to represent various pieces of furniture, etc. The staging was complimented with excellent background music and sounds, as well as lighting designed by David Stern that added appropriate eeriness to the overall effect. The costuming, by Sandy Klein, though not totally consistent of a single era, fit well the mood and individual characters. Klein describes it as having been, “a discovery process.” She made some characters stand out in bright colors against the black background, and Hamlet first enters in his pajamas, in stark contrast with the others in formal attire on stage at the time. Notable and brilliant also was when “The Players”, led by Sean Edward Roberts and Kim Roberts appeared acting in Comedia del Arte style and that period’s costuming with artful masks by Liz Guzynski. They present the play within a play that Hamlet stages to expose his uncle.
The cast ran the gamut of experience. Besides Nutter, Devin Rondeau, who plays Hamlet’s mother, is a graduate of North Carolina School of the Arts. At the other end is locally popular singer-songwriter Allie Lubin who has not acted in a stage role since high school, though she has directed 27 middle school musicals as a teacher.
Besides Hamlet’s masterfully delivered monologues, others in the cast delivered memorable gems. Alex Hacker, who plays numerous roles, delivered an excellent speech as the grave digger and had a notable interaction with Hamlet as well. Hamlet’s uncle, the king, played by David Zucker, and Hamlet’s mother also delivered excellent monologues.
A tragedy, of course, can’t have a happy ending. At the conclusion Shakespeare leaves dead bodies all over the stage. Then he gives Horatio, played by Eliza Klein, the last short but effective speech, which she delivers very well leaving one thinking as the spot on her dramatically fades, “Wow, that show was good.” The opening night crowd gave the cast a well deserved standing ovation.
The two organizations involved in this production state, “Wild Goose Players (wildgooseplayers.com) and Main Street Arts are proud to continue developing their highly acclaimed work in the region, and mark this as their first collaborative venture”. Covid protocols are guided by Sean Roberts, a certified theater Covid safety monitor. Masks will be required of audience members, and all actors and staff are up-to-date on tests and vaccines. Tickets can be accessed at mainstreetarts.org, and there are discounts, group rates, and free ticket opportunities available. For these, or for further information one may call (802) 869-2960.
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