I dont really hate Hamlet

 

Every now and then, I make a spur of the moment decision to go see a play - as I did last night.
I took pot luck and without booking a ticket (naughty me!) toddled off to see "I Hate Hamlet", renown Director James Hough Neilson's latest offering at Playlovers, and I am very glad I did.

This hilarious romp through the trials and tribulations of a TV soap star making his theatrical debut as the lead in Shakespeare's classic tragedy "Hamlet" is a masterpiece from whichever angle you veiw it.
Impeccably directed, cast, staged, lit, audio-enhanced and performed there was not one fault that could be counted as detrimental. To be honest - I was hard pressed to find fault at all! But don't take my word for it.

This comment after the show came from a "first-time-at-theatre-in-Perth" punter: "I have seen shows of much lesser quality on the West End in London that I have payed a hell of a lot more to watch. This was fantastic!"

The season opened last week (the ominous Friday 13th) and thankfully I could find very little evidence of the dreaded *2nd Night Syndrome* that we hear so much about. Yes, the performers were a bit hesitant and just a smidgen under par as the show opened, but I can assure you it was only a matter of a very brief minute before they hit their stride and were firing on all 8 cylinders!
This is a fast paced work and it is essential that the actors stay in perfect timing with one another and the audience responses other wise the whole effect of the conversational banter between the characters is lost.

Likewise there are subtleties and gestures throughout this play that are so real in everyday of our lives that we take them for granted without realising just how much language the body  conveys. Nothing in this piece is overplayed or understated, at all times "The Hough" has excersised masterful control over the players he chose to tell his story and indeed the entire cast of six comprising: Andrew Symes as TV soap star "Andrew Rally", Emma Shaw as his virginal girlfriend "Diedre McDavey", Susan Marsh as his agent "Lillian Troy", Tim Fraser as the money hungry TV Director "Gary Peter Lefkowitz", Michael Hodgen as "the ghost of  John Barrymore" and Texas born new comer to Perth theatre, Courtney Nyhuis as real estate agent "Felicia Dantine", function as a well oiled machine, working in perfect harmony with each other to bring this tale to life.

But this is not "just a comedy", there is something in this play for everyone, actor and punter alike.

The ordeals "Rally"(an Americanism of "Raleigh" perhaps?) faces as he attempts to play what is arguably "the best role ever written" for an actor will endear him to you all. Among the clever and witty comedy, Andrew  as "Rally" movingly displays a nervousness and anxiety that will be familiar to anyone that has ever dared to step outside their comfort zone and try something new.

Emma's "Deidre" is a beautiful mixture of childish exuberance (think "Annie") and zany antics (think "Annie, Get Your Gun"). This skillful young performer brings an almost "Perils of Pauline" style quality to the production and is adored by every guy in the room.
Susan Marsh's "Lillian" is a cross between Lilly Marlene and Marlene Dietrich. She is the epitome of grace and poise, and yet carries a toughness that is borne of "Lillian's" Germanic upbringing and obvious struggle to persuade "Rally" to be more than he is.
Tim Fraser is terrific as the dollar driven "Lefkowitz" (You don't perform art - YOU BUY IT!) who just doesn't get why people want to do something purely for the passion. Courtney Nyhuis' debut as the clairvoyant real estate agent "Felicia" is a play all of it's own. Her hilarious "trance like estate" will have you rolling in the aisle, and her conversation with "Mom"  is, although a little one sided, a treat to watch and hear.
The portrayal of  the late "John Barrymore" ( The greatest American Ham - let) by Michael Hodgen is truly magnificent. From the classic entry pose right down to the exaggerated codpiece (wait and see!!!) this man is a  perfect caricature of  Barrymore. His "larger than life" mannerisms and stentorian voice bring this erstwhile "ghost" undeniably to life.

While the actors no doubt hold the audience mesmerised throughout the production, the highpoint of the evening would have to be the sword duel between Barrymore and Rally.  Uncredited in the programme, this highly choreographed fight is most swash-buckling stage combat I have seen in ages.

No production, no matter how good, can be seen without lights or heard without sound and the Audio/Visual team of Terry Tinsley, Gordon Barnett and John Woolrych have worked their own specific brand of technical wizardry to enhance this production to a level that rivals many "professional" shows.

For my money, this a great night out and certainly a show not to be missed! Well done Mr. Neilson and team.

This production will continue to run until March 28th on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights @ 8:00pm with special 7:00pm showings on Sundays.
Tickets are available through BOCS and via Playlovers. See the production link below for details.

http://www.theatre.asn.au/production/2009/i_hate_hamlet

Disclaimer: Again - not required... I am in no way involved with this production, nor do I know any of the cast.