ONE HAM MANLET Flies Solo on the Next Stage
One Ham Manlet, an adaptation and solo performance piece of Hamlet by Ryan Kathman, opens November 4, 2016, and runs through November 19, 2016, on the Next Stage at Theatre Memphis. An original work, this piece takes William Shakespeare's Danish prince's "antic disposition" and pushes it to the limits. Approximately 20 characters are portrayed by author/actor Kathman in this modern, often comedic but no less authentic interpretation of the legendary tragedy. Is there "something rotten" in his "method to this madness"? "That is the question."
Kathman, who teaches Theatre and English at St. Benedict at Auburndale High School in Cordova, Tennessee, had the idea of creating this performance piece after being challenged by a co-worker to simply "do something" himself that he had been hiring others to do. Though he readily admits ego drove him at first, his experience in witnessing other groups generating like-minded performance pieces encouraged him to contemplate a proper subject to adapt and perform. "Hamlet has always been my favorite play and I just couldn't get it out of my mind when I approached this project. I couldn't shake it." Kathman says. It took approximately four months to put together and then he says, "I've only performed this twice before ... and both times have been is spaces twice as large ... and both times were for one night only," he continues. "I have to get my groove back with internal and external adjustments."
Director Cecelia Wingate says directing this is really a challenge at times. "Ryan brings this show with his interpretations, humor and research. I mean this is his show. I am a set of eyeballs for the technical stuff and I'm watching one guy do it all and trying to make sure that each character is clear and distinct ... do they mean what they say ... are they different enough." She laughs, "Shoot, I am just respecting that groove he's getting back."
Theatre Memphis Executive Producer Debbie Litch relates, "It is exciting to be able to showcase something new like this ... with classic roots. Ryan is a talented performer and we look forward to our audiences seeing his singular spin on the Bard's work."
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