A Utah Theater Review by Jennifer Mustoe
If you haven’t been to a Grassroots Shakespeare Company production, though I’ve been banging their drum for over a year now, do yourself a favor and go see their current double feature of Richard III and a return of Hamlet. They both are bloody brilliant.
These productions are playing at the Castle Amphitheater in Provo, past Utah State Hospital. It is a marvelous space, made of stone, it’s spooky and dark. Perfect for a very dark show. It’s a little tricky to find, however. Stay on Provo’s Center St. past the Utah State Hospital’s sign, turn left at the roundabout (there are signs) then head up the hill.
A little about GSC first. They use the same actors throughout the shows and use the same company for both the shows currently playing. Some actors play only one character, if it’s a big lead, but most play two or more parts. Though it’s obvious it’s the same person, with costume changes and superb acting prowess that all GSC’s actors possess, it works. Okay, E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G works at Grassroots Shakespeare Company. This review forthwith is a love fest for GSC. Smile, and read on.
For this show, GSC has a spot for ‘groundlings’ in front of their wooden stage. If you choose to go this route, be advised, though the tickets are cheaper, you stand the whole time and there is blood spurting from time to time. Even sitting in the front row of seats, you have a good possibility of being splattered.
If you’re not familiar with Richard III (which I wasn’t), it is the story of deception, murder, greed, and treachery. Davey Morrison Dillard plays Richard III, and boy, is he a bad dude. Richard, not Davey. I actually know Davey and he is a kind, gentle, extremely talented man. Seeing him in this play will convince you of this talent.
The rest of the ensemble is tight, brilliant, and lively. My favorite aspect to this show is when Richard ordered the death of particular unfortunates who stood in his way to the throne, GSC chose death by chainsaw. The chilling tones as that machinery began to grind was enough. We didn’t need to see the deaths, though often we saw through the sheet that served as a curtain, the backlit murders in the shadow, accompanied by blood-chilling shrieks. I may add, this isn’t a show for little kids. What with the blood, the coldness, and the late hour, leave the kiddies home with a sitter.
The crowd for this show was extremely animated, caught up in the production. GSC encourages this, and when the crowd cries out, often the actors will acknowledge the comments and ad lib a response. This got a crow of delight every time.
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The costumes are a mixture of funky, period, modern, and fun. I will say, Morrison’s Richard had a boot cast on. The real Richard had a limp. How fun is Morrison’s take on this? The whole cast has done similar costuming, which adds to the delight of the show.
This is my second time seeing Hamlet. I could go back again. Most of the actors are back for this run, and it is as thrilling as before. Trevor Robertson plays Hamlet, and he is painfully brilliant. (He also plays the guitar and sings, which ramps up my admiration for him even more. GSC has continuous music – before and during the show and it is delightful!) His agony builds throughout the show, as his desire to avenge his father’s murder becomes his only pursuit. He leaves friends, family, sweetheart and sanity (maybe) behind.
The crowd was just as enthralled and eager to participate in this show as they did with Richard III. There isn’t quite so much blood, owing to the fact that there aren’t quite so many murders. And the sadness of the love story between Hamlet and Ophelia breaks my heart, every. single. time.
I took my friend Joel Applegate, fellow actor and Front Row Reviewers Utah reviewer and board member, with me to these shows. He had told me earlier that he probably would only stay for Richard III. I figured he would change his mind and he did. Says Joel, “This kind of production is something I’d expect to see in Portland not Provo.” Yes, GSC is one of a kind, and because of this, and the absolute delight I know you will experience by seeing these productions, I strongly urge you to attend. Dress warmly! It gets cold up there! But it is worth it. Trust me. These shows are bloody amazing.
For these shows, sometimes Richard III is playing alone, sometimes as a double feature with Hamlet, so please go to their website for more info about tickets. The shows run October 25 – November 3.
http://www.grassrootsshakespeare.com/tickets.html
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