Interpreting Shakespeare Through 'Hamlet Conversations'
In the last 18 months, multiple Massachusetts Shakespeare companies have done Hamlet.
What could be more cool than getting the groups together to compare approaches and discuss the play?
No two productions of a Shakespeare play are alike -- especially a play as rich in meaning and feeling as Hamlet. Actors' Shakespeare Project has organized a rare opportunity to experience how directors and actors may interpret this multi-layered tragedy, bringing together people from four New England companies for an evening of performance and discussion on Tuesday, October 24 beginning at 7:30 at the Strand Theatre, 543 Columbia Road, Dorchester, where ASP's Hamlet is playing through November 12.
Stephen Greenblatt, Harvard professor of Humanities and author of the best-selling Will in the World: how Shakespeare Became Shakespeare, will moderate a panel that includes Tina Packer, Artistic Director of Shakespeare & Company, who played Gertrude in their production last summer; Steven Maler, Artistic Director of Commonwealth Shakespeare, who directed Hamlet in July, 2005 on the Boston Common; Per Jensen, assistant director of the Trinity Repertory Company's production of Hamlet last season; Rick Lombardo, Artistic Director of New Repertory Theatre and director of the current ASP production; Benjamin Evett, ASP's Artistic Director, who is playing Hamlet.
ASP and Shakespeare & Company will each present scenes from the play, after which the panel will discuss how actors and directors have worked toward their vision of the scene presented. Shakespeare & Company actors include Dennis Krausnick as Polonius, Nigel Gore as Claudius, Jason Asprey as Hamlet and Packer as Gertrude; ASP actors include Marya Lowry as Gertrude, Robert Walsh as Polonius, Johnny Lee Davenport as Claudius, Marianna Bassham as Ophelia and Evett as Hamlet.
Asprey and Evett will each present the soliloquy "O, what a rogue and peasant slave..."
After the discussion, the panel will take questions from the audience.
The program is expected to last until about 9 pm.
Hamlet Conversations, 7:30 pm October 24 at The Strand Theatre, 543 Columbia Road, Dorchester.
Tickets $25, Seniors & Students, $12.50. Dorchester Residents: Pay-What-You-Can.
Limited Seating.
For tickets or more information, email info@actorsshakespeareproject.org or call 617-547-1911.
For directions and parking information, visit http://www.cityofboston.gov/arts/theatre/directions.asp. For more information about ASP's production of Hamlet, playing October 19 to November 12, visit www.actorsshakespeareproject.org.