By Jason Hagey and Alisha Hagey
The Bard is never boring in Provo, Utah at Brigham Young University’s Nelke Theatre when the BYU Young Company troupe takes to their skateboards and gives a whole new perspective on Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Truncated to an hour’s length, this Hamlet hits all of the high points of the original and emphasizes every moment of levity to keep the audience connected. Engagement is high throughout as the actors pull audience members into the story. This is perhaps one of the most original Hamlets you will ever see.
Adapted and directed by Teresa Love, Hamlet has been adjusted for a younger audience. Where Shakespeare often can be hard to understand, Love gives easier to digest explanations in modern parlance so the audience can keep up with what is happening on stage. Though the tragedies in the story are kept authentic to the original text, Love has sprinkled many contemporary references (e.g. the use of cell phone pictures, texting, etc.) to make the story better understood for her young audience. Love obviously has engaged with the text, pulling out and framing the moments in such a way that audiences young and old can’t help but relate.
With his fiery red hair, Clark Allen (Hamlet) skates onto the stage surrounded by his other skater friends, Samantha Daynes (Ophelia) and Emma Larsen (Horatio). Allen is filled with energy, playing a different kind of Hamlet than most of us have seen before. He’s punk, he’s vibrant, and he has a strong sense of the rebellious young adult. This characterization fits perfectly with the whole ‘skate or die’ lifestyle his friends exude. Daynes has a difficult role, but she plunges into every moment whether it be the naive Ophelia or the mentally ill Ophelia. She works hard to give us someone to empathize with.
The standout of the production is Larsen. Her portrayal of Horatio is honest and believable. Larsen is the glue to the story and she does it well. The supporting cast creates a large ensemble from only a handful of players. These players all do a great job working with the volunteers from the audience.
Mary-Michal Carrigan (Scenic Designer) provides a versatile, portable set. Two pieces start out as skateboard ramps, transform into benches, and later become a coffin. Carrigan’s design is deceptively simple. Sarah Anne Childs (Prop Master) and Hannah Liberatore (Costume Designer) create a seamless marriage of props and costumes. What’s more, not only do they fashion wonderful characters through clothing and skateboards, they also supply delightful props and costumes for those audience members who are pulled in to participate.
Megan Alvarez (Fight Choreographer) is a unique addition to a young audience production giving real hand-to-hand fighting for the actors. Alvarez prepares a tussle between Hamlet and Gertrude that makes their confrontation visceral. Also, she delivers enough swordplay and knaps (sound of impact) to satisfy an audience of 9 to 12 year-olds and keep them enthralled up until the very end. Alvarez raises the stakes of the play through her action sequences.
“To skate or not to skate, that is the question! What do YouTubers, skateboarders, and Shakespeare have in common? Find out with Young Company’s vibrant adaptation of Hamlet.” Bring the family and enjoy this energetic and modern take on a classic. See why Hamlet is still just as relevant today, irrespective of age.
BYU Department of Theatre and Media Arts presents Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, adapted by Teresa Love.
Brigham Young University, Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center, Nelke Theater, 800 E Campus Dr. Provo, UT 84602
February 5-7, 12-14, 7:00 PM, 8 & 15, 2:00 PM & 4:00 PM
Tickets: $5-8
Contact: 801-422-2981
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