Hamlet (1991)
To present Shakespeare in modern dress or not to present Shakespeare in modern dress, that is the question which has agitated the minds of producers and critics in the Twentieth Century, When the cast and the direction are as good as in this Senior College production of the Adamson Theatre Company, the question becomes irrelevant. A particular strength of the presentation was the flexibility, feeling and intelligence of the delivery of the lines, free from artificial decla¬mation; the drama and the language wove their spell quite independent of externals.
The play was faultlessly directed by Dawson Hann and Tony Scanlon, assisted by Sophie Raymond, The settings, designed by Tony Scanlon, were a discreet background to the action, suggesting the dark castle of Elsinore with touches of richness where appropriate, wonderful effects being achieved by bril¬liantly conceived lighting - under the control of Sabino del Balso and Kim Forward. The sets were constructed and handled backstage by David Sautner, Claudine Seroussi, Kate Gibson, Rebecca Swart, Jimmy McBridc, Phil Cohn, Tim Cecil, Dalia Bluzer, Rory Luff, Jamie Sutton, David Marks, Richards Henry and .Scott McAllister; while the technical crew were Russell Rolls, Angus Donaldson, David Hoenig, Nick Didenkoswki, Russell Goldsmith, Dash Gantner, Dan Mitchell and Michael Hammett.
Margaret Hilditch and Stephanie Des Barres were once again splendidly in charge of the costumes, which brings us full circle to the start of this review: the dress was modern. There was only one point in the production where this fact was obtrusive - at the very be¬ginning with the prologue choreographed by Clare Cooper - one's immediate reaction was to ask ”Why';'”. Upon reflection, it can be seen that this was the question to prompt at the start of this play, of all plays. It sets the frame of mind in which to contemplate the drama with its themes and lust and power in which there are so many mysteries for the characters themselves to come to grips with. It excites the ex¬pectation of the audiences, which by objective observa¬tion, must be seen to have found this production highly accessible.
The young actors displayed enormous talent. Scott Grierson gave a compelling interpretation of Hamlet conveying changes of mood and thought through movement of the body, superbly controlled, as much as with inflexion of the voice. Sissi Cox was a mature, wom¬anly and magnetic Gertrude, while her seducer', Claudius, was portrayed by Gus Gollings as a personable, smooth but ruthless villain. As Horatio, Josh Sgro was the very image of dependable, level-headed, discreet. Solid friendship, while Joel Aarons (Rosencrantz) and Robert Thompson (Guildenstern) were splendidly convincing as wavering friends caught in an impossible dilemma. Ophelia is too frequently played as a pallid creature; Elinor Rennie brought her gorgeously to life as a flesh and blood girl - one could believe that Hamlet had fallen in love with her in earlier, happier times. Daniel Lewis, as Polonius, irritated us all with ex¬cess wisdom and was at once combination of reverend counsellor and rash, intruding tool to a T. Max Enga gaive a finely tempered performance as the volatile Laertes, while the minor roles of Fortinbras (Darren Penhall) Osric (David Campbell), Marcellus (Brent Van Der Ross), Barnardo (Rod Cuddihy), Francisco (Vellejo Gantner), the Priest (Leon Siebel), the Captain (Tahn Mok ) and the Gentleman (Rani Kelkick) were played in a way that gave more than competent support to the principals.
Certain scenes and actors were worthy of special mention, I have never seen the ghost scenes presented with greater credibility. They were brilliantly stage-managed and lit, and Jason Badower, magnificent vocally, was an ideal choice as the Ghost of Hamlet's Father. The play scene splashed a little colour into a sombre drama, and the Player King. Robert Franzke - always a stage pres¬ence - the Player Queen. Lara Woolf and the Players, Sophie Raymond and Becky Aizen, were splendid in cameo roles.
There was a host of Courtiers, Attendants, Players and Sailors acted by Shannon Wagstaff, Sarah Purdey, Christina Flann, Justine Beatty, Sharon Levy, Andrea Simon, Cassie Smith, Becky Aizen, Sophie Raymond, Euan Walker, Leon Siebel, Rani Kellock, Tahn Mok, Vellejo Gantner and David Campbell.
