‘Hamlet’ departs from traditional production
L.A. Repertory ‘s actors prove to be mainstays of play
By Jennifer Richmond
Daily Bruin Staff
When William Shakespeare wrote "Hamlet" he probably didn’t have
the Los Angeles Repertory’s production in mind.
Shakespeare’s classic, currently at the L.A. Theatre Center,
follows Hamlet (David Ellenstein) on his quest to avenge his
murdered father.
But although this performance follows the classic tragedy of
Oedipal obsession closely, Director Robert Ellenstein chose to
stage the production very differently from traditional ideas. With
only six actors portraying all parts, no set, no props and no
elaborate costumes, Ellenstein’s production surprises with
masterful performances that prove acting is still what makes a
play.
Even though the younger Ellenstein plays Hamlet in the
traditional all black, he still has to share the line load with the
much smaller part of Francisco. This shows he isn’t any different
from the other actors. Ellenstein must prove his abilities just
like everyone else. And prove them he does.
He astonishes in the same role he played seven years ago. During
his monologues, he looks at the audience with such intensity, it’s
impossible to play with the notion that Ellenstein’s simply acting.
There’s no doubt he is Hamlet.
Because there are no props, he proves his amazing skill at
pantomiming as well. During the final scene when Hamlet duels with
Laertes (Brendan Ford), the choreography is so precise the audience
can practically hear the swords as they crash against each other.
They lunge and thrust like trained fencers. When one hits the
other, traces of blood practically appear from the mimed scratch.
This scene alone makes the entire production worthwhile.
But Ellenstein isn’t the only actor with talent. Both Susan
Angelo and Ford mesmerize in their own right.
While Angelo starts off a little shaky in Ophelia’s role, acting
more like a child of 13 rather than a 17-year-old, her performance
improves over the length of the production. Switching quickly
between the deep-throated Horatio and the young feminine Ophelia,
Angelo entrances in her "mad scene" giving the audience another
treat.
She pushes the limit, creating a feeling of pity toward the girl
and the torture she’s apparently going through. Her sudden tantrums
shock the audience just as much as they shock Hamlet’s mother,
Gertrude (Janet MacLachlan). Switching back and forth between total
hysteria and innocent playfulness, there’s no doubt that she’s
insane.
Ford, although not a repeat performance, still manages to have a
different stance and attitude for every one of his five parts.
While all the parts are performed to Royal Shakespeare
Company-quality, it’s his Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that deserve
praise.
Although he plays both the bumbling fools, each character has a
totally different attitude. From his stance alone, Ford makes it
clear that Guildenstern is the brains in this duo. Because of his
character work, Ford’s conversations with himself are believable,
but suggest a Shakespearean take on Harvey. His master performance
comes early in the production.
During a talk with Hamlet, Rosencrantz stands on one side of
Hamlet while Guildenstern takes his position on the other. When
Hamlet makes a joke causing the characters to laugh, Ford not only
changes position to become the other character, he changes his
laugh as well. While proving he’s a new character, this laugh also
proves his immense talent, creating just one of a line of
entrancing scenes.
By staging a play devoid of today’s electronic embellishments,
director Ellenstein believes this production "affords an
opportunity to prove again that the actor and the author … are
the essentials of the theater." Indeed, it does.
STAGE: "Hamlet." Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by
Robert Ellenstein. Starring David Ellenstein, William Bassett,
Brendan Ford and Susan Angelo. Running through Nov. 13 at the Los
Angeles Theater Center. Performs Thursday through Saturday at 8
p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. TIX: $18-25. Tuesdays and
Sundays there’s a $5 discount with a student ID. For more info.
call (213) 485-1681.