Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Sometimes, there is a show that doesn’t stand out. Sometimes, there are performances that don’t move you at all. Lantern Theater Company’s production of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, directed by Charles McMahon, was such a case.
The acting wasn’t bad. In fact, it was a very talented cast. It’s just that nothing new was done. It was almost as if they were just presenting Hamlet, not interpreting it. An important aspect of performing any of the works of Shakespeare is that they need to be interpreted, not just set out for us.
Especially disappointing was the infamous ‘To Be or Not To Be’ speech. Full of energy during the rest of the performance, Hamlet’s (Geoff Sobelle) performance just went flat with the speech. All of his energy went away and it was as if he were just speaking his lines to memorize them. This speech is a major part of any performance of Hamlet and just did not seem up to the expected standard.
The set was simple and seemed to be the only focused part of the entire performance. Constructed of scaffolding and weathered wood, the simplicity gave the show a wonderful overall feeling. Additionally, the lighting for this performance was spectacular, creating mood and reflecting each and every scene. It was, truly, the best aspect of this production. Although both the set and lighting were effective, the costuming was not. Very disjointed, we began with characters in large wool jackets reminiscent of WW2 , which were followed by characters wearing clothing made of tapestry fabrics. That could have been understood if Ophelia (Melissa Dunphy) hadn’t walked out in a modern dress, jacket and hat. None of it seemed coherent and didn’t really do anything to add to the story.
However, in the end, the audience is left wishing that Hamlet would die quicker. Don’t completely count this performance out though; it isn’t a waste of time. If you’re a Shakespeare fan, you’ll get something from it, but this performance isn’t going to turn people into fans of Shakespeare. As stated previously, it’s a presentation of Hamlet, not an interpretation and shows a lack of understanding of the over all piece.
Lantern Theater Company presents William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, directed by Charles McMahon, April 3rd – May 17th (EXTENDED) at St. Stephen’s Theater, 19th and Ludlow Streets. Tickets $25-$37. 215-829-0395. www.lanterntheater.org
