William Shakespeare’s Hamlet Oct 13 – Nov 11, 2017
Park Square Theater presents William Shakespeare’s Hamlet in St. Paul, Minnesota. From set and costume detail to acting performance and casting, this rendition of the popular play offers the audience an engaging modern production of an old tale.
Similar to the original play, Park Square Theater’s production introduces Prince Hamlet’s character in a scene following the guardsmen’s ghost sighting. The stage is empty except for a tilted concrete cube with lights built into the four-sided structure’s perimeter. Hamlet stands inside the cube, leaning against the wall with a book in hand. He wears a black dress shirt with a tie, gray hooded sweatshirt, and a university uniform blazer. The king, Claudius, strides onto stage with his queen, Gertrude, holding onto his arm. The crowned king wears a suit and his queen dresses in a laced purple dress accessorized with an abundance of pearls. The couple brightly smiles, waving to the audience as a camera shutter effect sounds and lights flash. Ophelia watches the royal pair from behind, wearing a pink floral dress that modestly covers her neckline. Her brother, Laertes, shakes the king’s hand for the “cameras” and asks to return to France. Claudius scolds Hamlet for his mourning over the death of his father. Before stepping outside the cube and toward center stage, Prince Hamlet addresses his uncle, King Claudius, remarking, “A little more than kin, a little less than kind.”
While the general sequence of events in the scene parallels that recorded in the original Shakespearean play, Park Square Theater’s performance supplements the original in its interpretation of the text. For example, King Claudius, aware of his public image in the media, acts as a sort of modern politician or celebrity. He smiles and waves at the audience. Staging allows audience members to assume the active role of the media and observe the king’s personable effect. Also, Queen Gertrude’s physical placement beside the king and few speaking lines highlight her subordinate, feminine position. Her elegant pearls and purple dress point to her wealthy, royal status. While most of the play’s costuming suits a present-day style, Queen Gertrude’s pearls appear vintage. The traditional, feminine fashion reflects the seemingly traditional, feminine character. Ophelia’s body language, minor role in the scene, and modest clothing suggest the girl bears a similar feminine duty. Ophelia passively stands in the background with her hands clasped in front of her body when her brother shakes the king’s hand.
Despite Hamlet’s vengeful character, Park Square Theater’s play portrays a relatable, likeable prince. Students may find commonality between themselves and the character onstage wearing a university blazer and carrying a textbook. When Hamlet states, “A little more than kin, a little less than kind,” the character lowers his chin and emphasizes the latter half of the comment. Teenage audiences are likely to identify with the character’s moody behavior and frustration with relatives.
Park Square Theater’s edit of Hamlet uses modern technology and style to produce a refreshing interpretation of the original seventeenth century play. A diverse cast breaks race and gender molds with an African American lead (Hamlet) and some females acting in customarily male roles (Horatio and Polonius). Acting performances acknowledge female and teenage struggles relevant to today’s world, including gender oppression and family conflict. William Shakespeare’s Hamlet resonates with a twenty-first century audience.
Buy tickets here: http://parksquaretheatre.org/box-office/shows/2017-18/william-shakespeares-hamlet/