Lantern

Going to the Lantern and seeing Hamlet in Charles McMahon's direction and Geoff Sobelle's rendition of the character definitely gave me a better understanding of the play. It was amazing to me that Geoff could carry a tune, remember all his lines and act them out incredibly,and run and swing around. I was confused as to why the set was built the way it was, but after seeing him perform, along with the other actors, it's clear that McMahon built the set for Geoff's personality. In an interview McMahon said himself that he wanted something true to the text, but something people haven't seen before. I do not believe you have to read the book to see this play. Just by the body language, the power of each of the actors' voices, and the fact that in the Lantern you feel like your in the play gives the viewer the grasp of the story.
In class on Friday we were discussing the wardrobe of the actors and I agree with the majority of the class by saying that I disagree with Ophelia's dress. It stood out from all the other actors and that's not a compliment. The flower dress did not fit with the scene of the stage and the presence of the rest of the players. She was a little too crazy for me. I actually liked the actress who played Queen Gertrude (forgot her name and couldn't find her name on the lantern blog). She seemed more "out-there" than the class would imagine the character in the book, but I respect her rendition. The queen was seen as more manipulated by Claudius than a conspirator which is what I agree with. And her promiscuous attitude with Claudius added some humor to the show. I didn't quite understand why people were so "freaked out by it." It was funny. I laughed and I got over it. I do not have much to say about the [ Lantern ] Polonius but only that he reminded me of the Polonius in the movie we saw and I related to the movie very well. I also related to Kenneth Branagh because of his passion and energy he put into his words. After Geoff entered and said his first monologue I couldn't keep my eyes off him. Energy in an actor draws you to listen. I don't know if he was trying extra hard because teenagers have a short attention span, but it worked because by what I saw everyone payed attention to him. So i do not believe Hamlet should be played with anything less than the energy I saw from Kenneth and Geoff. They all had draw to them that made you want to listen. I enjoyed the tasteful humor and how the audience had an in-you-face experience.