Hamlet (The Acting Company) – Location, Tickets, Reviews
After a New York season filled with plays in repertory, The Acting Company (in association with the Guthrie in Minneapolis) presents a popular two-play combo at the Pearl – Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, itself a riff on a minor Hamlet plot thread. A cast filled with Guthrie and Acting Company alums work double duty in this mashup of classical and contemporary theater.
Maxamoo
We know, you’re tired of Hamlet – every theater person, casual or die hard, dreads each new production of Hamlet on some level. But these days we’re not used to seeing Hamlet played straight, with no high concept or modern contrivances – just Danes killing each other in frilly pants. Which is why we were surprised to find that this production, with no bells or whistles, is the textbook definition of a good Hamlet. The performances are strong (John Skelley as the titular prince is particularly excellent), the direction is thoughtful, and key moments of sharp comedy pierce the bleak darkness of Hamlet’s gloom. And for those interested in the argument about the legitimacy of Hamlet’s insanity – is it real madness or “madness by craft”? – the Acting Company constructs a heady yet accessible balance between the two. It’s refreshing to see a company who knows that simple, great acting is all you need to make this familiar play glow with new life.
So far we’ve only seen Hamlet. We’ll update this post once we have a chance to see Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
Public Opinion
Not a lot happening across the social networks for either production, but the audience at the Hamlet performance we attended was universally enthusiastic, with first-timers and Bard vets joining together for a standing ovation.
Have you seen Hamlet or Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead? What did you think? Comment below or tweet to us at @Maxamoo.
Critics’ Reviews
TheaterMania
The Acting Company offers a smart pairing tot two classics: one Elizabethan, one modern, both Danish.
TICKETS
$35.00 – $60.00 (click here for tickets)
DATES
Performances through February 1, 2014
LOCATION
The Pearl Theatre Company
555 West 42nd Street
New York City
[google-map-v3 width=”250″ height=”250″ zoom=”12″ maptype=”roadmap” mapalign=”left” directionhint=”false” language=”default” poweredby=”false” maptypecontrol=”true” pancontrol=”true” zoomcontrol=”true” scalecontrol=”true” streetviewcontrol=”true” scrollwheelcontrol=”false” draggable=”true” tiltfourtyfive=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”555 W 42nd Street 10036{}1-default.png” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]
RUNNING TIME
2 hours and 20 minutes, 1 intermission
NEWS
The Huffington Post
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead Tours with Hamlet, is Theater’s Best Double Feature Ever
CAST & CREW
(partial list)
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Ian Belknap
Featuring John Skelley, Ernest Bentley, Patrick Lane, Robert David Grant, Andy Nogasky, Jacqueline Correa, Angela Janas, Ian Gould, Grant Fletcher Prewitt