Hamlet: An Exploration
About the show
Nine Theatricals presents a retelling of 'Hamlet' that incorporates aspects of the literary antecedents of Shakespeare's classic tragedy. More…
In order to tackle 'Hamlet,' this play incorporates the stories of 'Hroðulf' from the 5th and 6th centuries, 'Amlóði' from the 12th century, 'Ur-Hamlet' and 'Heronimo' (from the Bard's contemporary, Thomas Kyd). When the smoke clears, this is a 'Hamlet' that has never been seen.
"De Rogatis is crackling good in the titular role. A few other cast members nail their supporting parts: Lorraine Mattox, as the young Ophelia, deftly covers the poles of her character's personality…This experimental theater work is free-wheeling and loose-limbed in its structure. There's a clunk, now and then, in the theatrical machinery, but if you suspend your disbelief and are truly attentive to the storyteller's words, this piece will coalesce in your imagination." Full Review
"It ventures to establish connections between the classic version of the famous play and the possible ancient tales and sources…While the notion of such an approach is compelling, the end result is mixed, but earns a nod for effort…De Rogatis assumes the titular role and surrounds himself with a supporting cast that’s mostly strong…Director Jay Michaels clearly had a vision for this production and stays true to it…This was a bold effort that deserves recognition for taking risks." Full Review
See it if You enjoy Shakespeare, especially a slightly different take on the original.
Don't see it if You are offended by a little stage violence or do not enjoy Shakespeare.
See it if You don't know the play & require a very low spoken actor to comment on the piece between other actors screaming in painfully dim lighting.
Don't see it if You love this play, you like ACTUAL Steampunk style (this doesn't have it), or badly or unstaged violence offends you.
See it if you know someone in the cast. That's what brought us, and the only thing that kept us. Well done, friend, legitimately.
Don't see it if you don't need to be talked down to through the world's most well-known pieces of literature. Seriously, a program note would have sufficed.
See it if you enjoy watching great works of art get twisted to emphasize violence and misogyny. I have never walked out of a play before this.
Don't see it if you want to see an edgy production of Hamlet that is enjoyable, violence makes you uncomfortable, misogyny is offensive to you
See it if You appreciate interesting takes on classics.
Don't see it if You're a staunch traditionalist.
Cast & Creatives (13)
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