kapHAMLET

Hamlet critique.

Positive:

1. For me, Shakespeare is really hard to understand, so the beginning part with a short explanation in layman’s terms helped me understand the play (even though I have read it before). The players were festive and funny—a good start to the three hours of play to come.

2. The set was amazing. It was like a jungle gym for adults. There were “doors” everywhere and the actors always left through one of the compartments. The hanging light bulbs were interesting to look at. The back part that was wooden had a lot of depth like a hallway. It looked cold and heartless but aesthetically pleasing at the same time.

3. Lighting was variable and helped keep my attention through the play. There were lights on the side of the set which added depth to the set and the actors. The light on the large screen in the back of the stage helped portray emotion and time of day, which is important for the ghost of the king because he had to leave at dawn.

4. My favorite scene was a simple one where they were looking for Hamlet. The stage was completely dark then flashlights popped up one at a time shining into the audience and then a spot light on the balcony joined them. It was funny and interesting to see and hear. Then everything blacked out all at once and stomping started until at last they found Hamlet. Simple but entertaining.

5. The play has its funny moments built into the play, but the director really took things and made it more comedic. For example, when Hamlet was wheeled on to stage hanging upside down on a ladder and then took a picture. Then, he continued to take pictures randomly throughout the play. Osric’s costume was silly and the things the First Gravedigger was digging up were really random and funny.

Negative 1. I understood the players in the beginning of the play and as the actual company of actors. However, they would randomly come on stage, climb on to the rafters of the set, and sit there either watching what was going on or flipping through a book. I did not understand their purpose and it distracted me from the actual play.

2. Brian Kimmel did a good job as Hamlet, especially with all of the monologues. I imagine Hamlet to be a handsome young man that all the ladies loved and a rebel. Mr. Kimmel lacked a certain physique, namely a flat stomach, which made some of his costumes look a little weird. I more had qualms with his costume though: I like everything accept the accessories. Hamlet was not a punk and should not wear necklaces or fingerless gloves.

3. The first time the ladder appeared onstage with Hamlet on it, I liked the effect. All of the other times when Hamlet was doing speeches on the ladder as it moved slowly about the stage seemed silly. It distracted me from the play because I was either wondering why he was on a ladder or watching the stage hands move it.

4. The scene where Claudius and Polonius watch Ophelia and Hamlet interact had unnecessary physical contact in it. I felt really awkward watching him grope her repeatedly on stage. I think there is a better way to show his verge on insanity and mixed emotions about Ophelia than have her being sexually assaulted.

5. I liked the costume for the Ghost, but when Harry Valentine spoke he put on a booming voice. That would have been great if he was not wearing a very loud microphone that was probably very close to his mouth. Every time he spoke, my ears started hurting a little from the squeaks and the low pitch of it.