This week I was invited to see Hamlet off Broadway at the Hudson Guild Theatre directed by John William Schiffbauer. They are having a limited engagement, and I was fortunate enough to experience one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. The venue itself is an intimate setting where the cast is able to walk up and down the aisles as well as sit with the audience. This was a pleasant surprise because the whole theatre was the stage. It gave the audience the ability to sit right in the middle of the action. The lights and scenery suited the story line. Specifically the lighting, when there needed to be focus; they would enhance what direction the actor and action took place. Having the audience automatically follow the lighting and gain focus on what was happening.
This version of Hamlet that Schiffbauer presented took place in modern Denmark. The first thing that caught my attention were the actors clothing. They were all wearing modernized attire and had up to date gadgets as props with them, such as iphones. This caught me off guard because I am used to seeing the traditional version of Hamlet. However, by updating Hamlet to the 21st century, it refreshes the story and makes you believe this is happening somewhere in Denmark.
The story line itself is kept, Hamlet’s father, the King has passed away. His ghost appears to Hamlet telling him there was fowl play on his death by his brother, who has inherited the throne and married Hamlet’s mother. He asks Hamlet to seek revenge. Hamlet is distraught with the news, and goes mad. Everyone tries to figure out why he is acting so strange, they believe he is crazy in love with Ophelia. Ophelia is the Lord Chamberlains daughter. Hamlet turns down Ophelia, and then kills her father, making her go crazy. Ophelia’s brother Laertes learns of his father’s death and Ophelia’s and challenges Hamlet to a sword fight. Hamlet’s mother offers wine to him but he declines. She decides to drink it and is poisoned. Hamlet wins the sword fight but then learns of all the wrong doing and kills his father’s brother, then Hamlet dies as well.
The actors did an incredible job at portraying this tragedy. When we first meet Ophelia, played by Brittannie Bond, she plays the role of young women in love very well. As the story moves on, and she goes crazy for her father’s death, her grief is believable. Her hair is messy, her makeup is runny, and she looks absolutely distraught. I have to add that the actor who stole the show was Hamlet himself played by Kyle Knauf. He played sane, crazy, and funny so well. I could not take my eyes off him. His whole character filled the room with the emotion and pain. The supporting cast was just as great. Hamlet is not a one man show, it is a cast and crew who’s individual roles complimented one another. Everyone involved in this production has incredible experience in theatre. Schiffbauer did a great job in producing a timeless classic.
Hamlet off Broadway runs through July 28th in New York City.