This Wednesday (29/01), Anthead was invited by @6footstories to see their production of ‘HAMLET: ROTTEN STATES’ at @thehopetheatre
And what a show it was! An inventive, dirty-laugh-inducing performance the likes of which I’d never seen before! Hilariously ingenious set design saw the 'planning' papers pasted on the wall; sugar paper mindmaps of Shakespeare's iconic characters as well as headshots of actors stuck to the studio space. Not only did this make us giggle - any theatre person knows intimately the amount of sugar paper one ends up with at the end of a planning session - but it truly inspired us for our future shows. The creatives at 6Foot Stories are proving that a fantastic set can be made purely out of what comes from rehearsal, that a powerful yet minimalistic set does not have to be black walls and a table, it can be what's pasted to the very walls of the space as well. AND, that this kind of set can and SHOULD be used for comedic effect; one poster behind my seat read 'Hamlet. Too Long?' which, I'm unashamed to say, made me snort with laughter, even before the show began! Speaking of comedy, this show's hilarity comes absolutely from the 3 performers. Each of them were incredibly strong actors, with a versatility that allowed them to almost MELT between the characters and maintain those characters fantastically well. Each of them played Hamlet at one point in the play, and each performance was nuanced, well-thought-out and ultimately very funny! Not only were they more than competent, versatile actors, they were also performing the roles of lighting and sound designers throughout the entirety of the show. And THE ENERGY that came as a result! Watching one actor perform Ophelia's emotional collapse, as the two others rave like club DJ's at the on stage mixing desk, was an utter treat! It formed both a tangibly explosive and incredibly comedic, almost completely contrasting stage experience that continues to play out in my head even days after. I thoroughly enjoyed this lovingly 'tongue-in-cheek' adaptation of Hamlet, following the players rehearsing to perform Hamlet's story after a visit from the ghost of the king (who I believe was a photo of Brian Blessed?! Fantastic) instructing them to do so. This play within a play (within a play at one point) is beautifully reminiscent of John Godber's 'Teechers', and works fabulously! We are so thankful to 6Foot stories for the invitation to see their show, Hamlet: Rotten States at the Hope Theatre in Islington, and we hope to see more from them soon!
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