WEEK 6 – YOUR PRODUCTION

RESEARCH: Research your own Shakespeare play: Hamlet, Richard III, Macbeth, Measure for Measure. What is the play about? When was it first performed? Find a contemporary production of the play you can get an idea of and research it in terms of concept, style, design, casting. Give some attention to your own character and their role in the play.

Hamlet

What is it about ?

Hamlet is a shakespearean tragedy set ancient Denmark, which is based around a teenage boy named Hamlet. In the play, this father dies, and Hamlet later finds out that this father was murdered by his uncle Claudius, his father’s brother. On top of that after the death of his father, his mother goes on to marry this uncle Claudius. During the play Hamlet is visited by the ghosted on this dead father who tells him that it was his uncle who murdered him by pouring poison in this ear. Finding out this information takes a toll on Hamlet, and he is unsure who to trust, so feels he can’t to anyone about it. In my opinion the play is about the downfall of Hamlet’s mental health and the effect it has on his relationship between friends and family. For example, in the play you see the breakdown of this relationship with his girlfriend Ophelia, he starts to miss treat he, and sexual abuse her, with ends up making her become mentally unstable. The play ends with Hamlet murdering everyone or them committing suicide, all because he wanted to seek revenge for his father. To sum it up I think Hamlet is about the mental health of young people.

When was is first performed ?

I can not find a definite answer as to when Hamlet was first performance, it was in the early 1600’s, but some accounts say it was in 1607 on an East India Company’s ship.  However another account says in 1601 by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, it is also believed to be performed in 1608.

Contemporary performance

A contemporary version of Hamlet which took my interest is the Royal Exchange theatre’s production of Hamlet in 2014.

The most noticeable thing about this production of Hamlet is probably the casting, unlike many production of Hamlet, Hamlet as well as Polonius is played by women. I think this is a really interesting casting choice, and also one that I really feel worked. It was an extra selling point and it would have sparked conversation and interested in their production of Hamlet, as this hadn’t be done before. From the clips I have watched and the rehearse I have done, the female Hamlet worked well, I think it did make this Hamlet different to any other because the mannerism was different, and the relationship with other character’s was unique to others, which I feel was something really cool to see. I would have thought it before but changing the gender of Hamlet adds a slightly new dynamic to Hamlet, which I haven’t seen before. For example in the small clips I was able to watch, her portrayal of Hamlet was more fiery, and I could see a sly rudeness and mischievous, to her. Saying that, I don’t only think that Maxine Peake’s Hamlet had a different dynamic to the normal portrayal of the character’s. Also the character’s seemed a bit more edgy than what I have scene before, and just from the clips I saw of the products it look like the had clear intentions and character choices, which I thought was cool.

I also really liked the design of the play really complimented the acting as well.  I don’t want to repeat myself by using the same worlds but, but I feel the style and design of the play, had a real secret, edge and mysterious vibe to it. In the clip I saw they used dull lighting, there was no pop of colour, it look slick and set out. One particular thing that I really liked was the hanging bulb lights. It help create the atmosphere, and in my opinion in created this feeling of intimacy, because they lights wasn’t too bright and exposing, so as and audience member, i think it would make you feel more involved and like you’re in the room with the character’s a involved.   

I thought the style was really good as well, it felt really modern and enjoyable for a contemporary audience, they didn’t have the change the language or anything, it was just the way the performed it. There was not over the top Shakespearean acting, it just felt like pure acting with emotion and from the clips I saw it look like you could connect with the character’s and story.

From looking at the review and some scene footage i’ve watched on youtube, the portrayal of Hamlet was wonderful, and it was really helpful for me to watch because I am also playing a female Hamlet. I think there was so much passionate in Hamlet, and you could tell she wanted to seek revenge for her father, her portrayal of Hamlet was fearless. I don’t think she overplayed it either with is an easy trap to fall down when playing such a heavy and emotional role as Hamlet, it just feel natural and honest.  

Overall I think this contemporary production of Hamlet was amazing, it concept of modernising it, and the the twist of gender roles was something cool and unique, and I real  do wish I could have scene it at the Royal Exchange to see how it all pieced together.