Ruth Negga crowns herself a brooding prince in Hamlet: Review
, is more personal than specifically political. Farber, taking mostly seamless liberties with the text, has excised the character of Fortinbras, eliminating the war-with-Norway subplot. She instead establishes an intimate tone by inserting a wordless funeral tableau ahead of the play’s first scene, a reminder that the sweet prince is, before anything else, a son in mourning, with death front of mind.making her American stage debut, does not play Hamlet as a woman.
Negga’s Hamlet toys with Ophelia who, matching in generational tone, frequently sounds exasperated with her father’s and brother’s unsolicited advice. Duffin luxuriates in Ophelia’s later madness; did she need to flash the audience to convince us of her unhinging? Probably not. The company is stacked with fine performances, notably Nick Dunning’s well-meaning Polonius, and the three bowler-hatted players of the play within: Will Irvine, Ger Kelly, and Gerard Walsh, who double as gravediggers.
Where this production most impresses is as a ghost story. Much of the Elsinore action takes place in a castle room framed by 12 slamming doors, made to be haunted. Floorboards gape to reveal gravesites. Effective use of a scrim creates an otherworldly atmosphere during a meeting between Hamlet and the King’s ghost . The striking if simple effect reappears toward the end, a coda to the early funeral rite. Absent Fortinbras to wrap things up, Hamlet — and death — get the final word.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Hamlet': Theater ReviewMaking a stunning American stage debut in the title role of 'Hamlet,' RuthNegga invigorates Shakespeare's timeless tragedy about one man pushing back against corrupt power. Read THR's review:
Read more »
Ruth Bader Ginsburg says deadline to ratify Equal Rights Amendment has expired: 'I'd like it to start over'Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a long-time supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment, suggested Monday night that the deadline to ratify the measure as a constitutional amendment has expired and that the decades long effort must start anew.
Read more »
'Hamlet': Theater ReviewMaking a stunning American stage debut in the title role of 'Hamlet,' RuthNegga invigorates Shakespeare's timeless tragedy about one man pushing back against corrupt power. Read THR's review:
Read more »
New photos released of Princess Estelle of Sweden ahead of her eighth birthdayThe Swedish royal family has released new photos of Crown Princess Victoria, Crown Prince Daniel, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar
Read more »
'The Outsider' recap: You're telling me it's El Coco?Gibney presents her unbelievable evidence, and finds herself in danger.
Read more »
America Ferrera's Oscars Dress Has a Powerful Meaning Behind ItAmerica Ferrera's Oscars Look Honors Her How to Train Your Dragon Character and Lenca Ancestors
Read more »