Critique Hamlet

Alexis Hays

Dr. Nester

ENC 1102-01

6 April 2015

Hamlet

Performances of Shakespeare’s longest play known as Hamlet played at North West Florida State College in the Sprint Theatre at the end of March. Even though this was one of Shakespeare’s longest plays, modern age people have not forgotten it and forsaken it for something common. North West Florida St. College still incorporated the intenseness of power and insanity. It also focused on the darker aspect of betrayal and the actors presented these themes very well.

 Every night it was on, it seemed that there was a full house. People were being turned away but they certainly made up for it with 3 more days of showing at the beginning of April. The set was well done for such a small theatre. It was reused and took the director, Clint Mahle six weeks to build. They had many stone like blocks scattered about the stage floor for actors to sit upon during certain scenes. There were two small side doors and a big door in the middle, where most group entrances were. The actors also exited through the main door of entrance into the theatre. Additionally there were two staircases, one on each side of the stage meeting at the top where there was a balcony. The main balcony scene consisted of Hamlet seeing his father’s armored ghost and following it up the stairs to learn that he was killed by his brother, the current king. They had many props besides weapons. There was a table, flowers, the casket, cups, letters, the bones the grave digger put in a box and a few more. The biggest prop, and most memorable would have to be Hamlet’s sword.  Laertes fought Hamlet at the end of the second act. The swords they used were real in fact; the ends were quite rounded but they were still long and skinny. This gave the show that edge of your seat feel.

The lighting did not change much. At times there was fanfare played with the sound of horses and men marching, but some would say it took away from the play. They also had a man speak over the speaker to add the thriller aspect, though it was not needed. The role of Hamlet was very animated and passionate. His insanity is what sold the thrilling elements of this production. The other actors all had good timing in their roles. The fight scenes at times seemed to be much choreographed, but still very well done. The part of Gertrude was done very nicely. She was very regal and emotional as a nurturing mother would be. Polonius’ role was flamboyant the entire time. In the first act when Polonius tells the King and Queen of the letter Hamlet wrote to his daughter, speaking of her physicality “etc, etc” was quite comical. This character was used for the comic relief of the play. Polonius’ daughter Ophelia was a very callow character with a gentle demeanor. Due to her grievance of her father’s death she sings sad, sweet music. The actress does a great job in showing her state of despondency in a beautiful song. Another important role was one played as Horatio. In this more modern version, the director casted a woman. She in fact does a great job playing Hamlet’s closest friend. With them being so close, it makes the audience root for a love that is more than platonic. Ophelia is supposed to be Hamlet’s love, having Horatio as a woman weakened that. The play ended with almost half of the cast deceased on the stage with Horatio standing in the middle. As the lights when down, so did a single tear fall from her eye. This was perfect timing. Furthermore, all actors projected their voices very well that the whole house could hear them, although the enunciation was weak at times with a few of the student actors. The cast was 57% students, and the rest faculty. This in fact made the play stronger.