Kilgore News Herald

Festival stages haunting version of 'Hamlet'

The play is lengthy – three and a half hours – and though the script has been reduced to preserve all of its major plot elements, through the direction of Lee Ernst a crescendo builds scene after scene and one becomes enthralled in the finality and overwhelming tragedy of the last scene.

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark is believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601. The play, set in the Kingdom of Denmark, recounts how Prince Hamlet exacts revenge on his Uncle Claudius for murdering the old King Hamlet and then succeeding to the throne and marrying Gertrude (the King Hamlet’s widow and mother of Prince Hamlet).

You will be immediately impressed with the set design and sound effects created Jesse Dreikosen and Benjamin G. Stickels. For some untold reason, in the beginning, thoughts of Steven Spielberg surfaced, yet, there were no cameras, no one to say “cut” and no one to edit as action takes place upon stage and the story emerges with a remarkable professionalism created for the Silver Anniversary of the Shakespeare Festival.

Watch as Prince Hamlet, played by Matthew Simpson, virtually appears before you on stage with a mesmerizing look that will haunt you for days afterward. He plays the role with an expertise that will have you wondering if Prince Hamlet was truly mad or cleverly disguised to plot the revenge upon the one who killed his father. Watch as the expressions upon his face change quickly from mourning, to madness, to rage.

Seemingly, his mother Gertrude, played by talented Kathleen Mary Mulligan experiences doubt, bewilderment, fear, and at last sorrow as truth rears an ugly head at the end.

Feel yourself grow to hate Claudius (Jeffrey McGullion) for his erroneous deeds and empathize with Ophylia (Anne Marie Damman) as she tries to please her father. More importantly, allow the entire cast to overwhelm you in disbelief and tragedy.

If you have never seen Hamlet before, do not hesitate now. Even if you have seen it, the talent of this cast and crew will leave you spellbound.

Hearings

Van Cliburn

The Alcalde

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