BWW Reviews: HAMLET from Seattle Shakespeare Company

Seattle Shakespeare Company launches their 20^th anniversary season with the uber-Shakespeare classic, "Hamlet".  I'll admit I was hesitant to go see it.  "Yet another production of 'Hamlet'."  But, this production with its "less is more" mentality is a near note perfect production and one to be remembered for years to come.

As if I have to explain the story.  As if we haven't all seen it in one form or another a million times.  OK fine.  Claudius has murdered his brother, the King, and then married the King's wife Gertrude much to the dismay of Prince Hamlet.  Hamlet learns from his Father's ghost of the murder and is set off onto a journey into madness to avenge his father.  And unfortunately the people of Elsinore all get tangled into this web of family betrayal along the way.  Not much more you need to know about the story except that the only thing that counters the fact that it's exceptionally long when the whole thing is performed (as it is here.  It's three and a half hours folks) is that it's amazing and riveting when performed well (as it so is here).

So what about this production makes it so good?  Pretty much everything.  There are those rare productions where all of the elements come together in a kind of sublime alchemy and it may never happen again but you know when you're in the presence of it.  So we'll start at the top.  John Langs' direction of the piece is brilliant.  Not only does he keep the interweaving elements of the story together in an incredibly tight production but he finds ways to make moments of the staging to be fresh and new without the use of gimmicks.  There are no laser light shows or swirling projections.  No setting of the story in space or making all the actors perform nude.  Langs is simply showing himself as a consummate storyteller as he carefully yet simply places every element on the stage where it needs to be to have the utmost resonance. 

The lighting design by Geoff Korf is one of magnificence.  Right from the start he manages to transport us into the world he wants us in and never lets us out.  The sound design by Robertson Witmer is gorgeous.  And the set by Jennifer Zeyl is a stark and lean one but one with absolutely no element extraneous or wasted. 

And then there are The Players.  As tight an ensemble of actors you are likely to come across.  Each one not only knew where he or she needed to be and be doing but also was completely invested in the performances of the others with whom they shared the stage.  Richard Ziman and Mary Ewald were stirring as the murderous yet conflicTEd Royals Claudius and Gertrude.  Brenda Joyner and Shawn Law were heartbreaking as siblings Laertes and Ophelia caught up in this family drama and driven to murder and madness.  And Mike Dooly was wonderful as the ever loyal Horatio.  

But what is "Hamlet" without a killer Hamlet?  Darragh Kennan delivers the performance by which all other performances of Hamlet will now be judged.  Every word he uttered was artfully loaded with intent.  Every move he made, every look, every head turn only lived to serve his character and the story.  Kennan's performance is one of the most astonishing, transcendent performances of the character (or any character) that I've seen.  I've seen Kennan in other shows and he's never ceased to impress me whether playing the fool, or seething with rage.  And here he manages to deliver every emotion with subtle and sublime focus.  He basically pours his soul, or rather Hamlet's soul onto the stage for us to feast upon and it's delicious!  And all the while he makes the Dane his own with unexpected nuances of an iconic character.  I know I'm gushing now but it really was a sight to see. 

So if you haven't grasped it by now, I really enjoyed the production and you will too.  I know the season has just begun but I may have just seen my top show of it.  Other theaters and other productions are going to be hard pressed to beat it.  And if you haven't ordered your tickets by this point then what are you waiting for?  This is one production not to be missed!

"Hamlet" from the Seattle Shakespeare Company performs at the Center House Theater in the Seattle Center through December 5^th.  For tickets or information contact the box office at 206-733-8222 or visit them online at www.seattleshakespeare.org.

Photo Credits: John Ulman

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