[ota] Welcome to the 38th Annual Shakespeare on The Green
There were a few things that Master Henry always kept as a tradition- the Annual Shakespeare on the Green productions being but a part of them. It was the biggest day of his year, though it was not his only production of the year, it was the biggest. The stage was built for this one night, and on this night Master Henry introduced the play as he did every year to the Deck wide gathering.
But tonight, he said as he stood on the stage before the play began, was a particularly special night. "Tonight, you see, is not just the night of our grandest production yet. But tonight is the very night our Sweet Hamlet turns one year older. I have had the pleasure for the last twelve years of watching this young man grow into the player he is. And in the next month, I shall see what all my teaching has done for him as he, much to my chagrin perhaps, competes in a challenge against me." Henry smiled at the crowd before him, smirking particularly at where Ceiro was sat among the Heart's Royals. "Your Majesty, you might have found a subtler way of telling me to try something new." His smile was light though as the people in the crowd laughed, "but do not let me ramble too long. We old men are quite prone to it. Without much ado," he smiled brightly at laughs from the crowd, "I present Shakespeare's Hamlet."
The play was, perhaps, the finest achievement to date for Hadyn- in so far that he performed the role of Hamlet with new flawlessness. For twenty-one, he was an exceptional player- an exceptional Hamlet. All the stress of the months leading to this day seemed to fade as he moved from one scene to the other- letting himself fall into the role with a natural ease that some actors would envy.
His voice rang out particularly clear as he charged across the stage to strike down 'Claudius'. "Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? Follow my mother." He said with such vibrant disgust and hatred that it was hard to tell truth from acting.
As 'Laertes' spoke his final lines, Hadyn moved sluggishly to center stage where he seemed to collapse in near confusion against Gaston's Horatio. He spoke softly, though clear enough for everyone to hear, as he delivered his last lines of the play with an almost bittersweet misery- "O, I die, Horatio; The potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit: I cannot live to hear the news from England; But I do prophesy the election lights On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice; So tell him, with the occurrents, more and less, Which have solicited." He spoke in an almost halting pattern as he gasped at air. His final line was breathy, in its own fashion, "The rest is silence."
After his death and the curtains fell, Hadyn and the rest of the cast took their bows with an excited glow about them. Despite things, he thought as he took his solo bow, sometimes he rather liked the spot light.
He had only to get off the stage, though, and do his obligatory meet and greet with the attendees and royals before he and the rest of the cast was bound for some rather vigorous celebration at the Four Suits- for a fine production and one twenty-first birthday.
And how could he make it a proper event if he didn't bring in a little bit of scandal?
[ooc: I'll make two thread groups- one for the Meet and Greet and one for Four Suits. Anyone is welcome at either event. The Meet and Greet is right after the play, and a chance to congratulate all the actors on the production. Threadjack in either setting to your heart's content.
And yes, yes Hadyn will be coming out in a painted on Moschino outfit. Yep- body paint. blame Sandy for it.]
But tonight, he said as he stood on the stage before the play began, was a particularly special night. "Tonight, you see, is not just the night of our grandest production yet. But tonight is the very night our Sweet Hamlet turns one year older. I have had the pleasure for the last twelve years of watching this young man grow into the player he is. And in the next month, I shall see what all my teaching has done for him as he, much to my chagrin perhaps, competes in a challenge against me." Henry smiled at the crowd before him, smirking particularly at where Ceiro was sat among the Heart's Royals. "Your Majesty, you might have found a subtler way of telling me to try something new." His smile was light though as the people in the crowd laughed, "but do not let me ramble too long. We old men are quite prone to it. Without much ado," he smiled brightly at laughs from the crowd, "I present Shakespeare's Hamlet."
The play was, perhaps, the finest achievement to date for Hadyn- in so far that he performed the role of Hamlet with new flawlessness. For twenty-one, he was an exceptional player- an exceptional Hamlet. All the stress of the months leading to this day seemed to fade as he moved from one scene to the other- letting himself fall into the role with a natural ease that some actors would envy.
His voice rang out particularly clear as he charged across the stage to strike down 'Claudius'. "Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, Drink off this potion. Is thy union here? Follow my mother." He said with such vibrant disgust and hatred that it was hard to tell truth from acting.
As 'Laertes' spoke his final lines, Hadyn moved sluggishly to center stage where he seemed to collapse in near confusion against Gaston's Horatio. He spoke softly, though clear enough for everyone to hear, as he delivered his last lines of the play with an almost bittersweet misery- "O, I die, Horatio; The potent poison quite o'er-crows my spirit: I cannot live to hear the news from England; But I do prophesy the election lights On Fortinbras: he has my dying voice; So tell him, with the occurrents, more and less, Which have solicited." He spoke in an almost halting pattern as he gasped at air. His final line was breathy, in its own fashion, "The rest is silence."
After his death and the curtains fell, Hadyn and the rest of the cast took their bows with an excited glow about them. Despite things, he thought as he took his solo bow, sometimes he rather liked the spot light.
He had only to get off the stage, though, and do his obligatory meet and greet with the attendees and royals before he and the rest of the cast was bound for some rather vigorous celebration at the Four Suits- for a fine production and one twenty-first birthday.
And how could he make it a proper event if he didn't bring in a little bit of scandal?
[ooc: I'll make two thread groups- one for the Meet and Greet and one for Four Suits. Anyone is welcome at either event. The Meet and Greet is right after the play, and a chance to congratulate all the actors on the production. Threadjack in either setting to your heart's content.
And yes, yes Hadyn will be coming out in a painted on Moschino outfit. Yep- body paint. blame Sandy for it.]
