While walking onto the set of Hamlet Prince of Darkness, we are told not to disturb the evidence. Indeed the whole play is set up like a crime scene. The bodies lying on the ground and the watchman standing over them all add to this experience. This play is darker than your average Hamlet. Part of that comes from the director, (Robert Richmond) who seems to have stripped away the outer drapes, the fluff, and shown what is in the heart of Shakespeare's famous prince.
In its simplicity, the set (designed by Reuben Lucas) also enhances the darker, more raw form of Hamlet Prince of Darkness. From the costumes (designed by Meghan Anderson Doyle) to the props everything is focused on simplicity, which in turn enhances the show. The lighting (Robert Byers) is the exception to this simplicity. It seems to be to be almost another character in the play. It is complex, but not extravagant. It enhances the show by giving the stark shadows that are needed to truly turn the stage into the land of darkness.
As we know from the name of the play, Hamlet is the prince of that darkness. In this play one person is not enough to give life to this classic character, so four people take on the role. (Sean Lyons, Rebecca Martin, M. Scott McLean and Jenna Panther) These four play the role well, switching between Hamlets mood by switching the actor playing him. Starting with sane spoiled brat and ending in total insanity. No matter which actor, they play the role and the prevalent emotion extremely well. Indeed all the actors are fabulous and it is this more than anything that makes this play worth seeing.
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