Staging Hamlet
Hey peeps, I have news from Shalampax’s performing arts scene, such as it is, which is not very much at all.
Word is that Shabbycardigan is getting ready to start rehearsals on a production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. There’s no news yet on when, if ever, she expects it to open or begin previews.
To say the least, this is a questionable undertaking. The attention span of most Shalampaxians is not adequate to carry them through to the end of a four-word monosyllabic sentence. (This partially explains why almost no Shalampaxians read Shalampax Speaks.)
Under the circumstances, mounting a successful staging in Shalampax of Hamlet, or any of Shakespeare’s other plays for that matter, would be a challenge for the most innovative of directors. And Shabbycardigan is definitely not the world’s most innovative of directors. Hell, to-date, her mind has shown little indication of even being from the same galaxy as directors who are capable of demonstrating the slightest of inventiveness.
I don’t know who gave her the idea, but Shabbycardigan is expected to adapt Hamlet to accommodate Shalampaxians’ mind-boggling attention deficiencies. Rumor has it that she intends to modify the play so that, very early in the Act I, scene one, Hamlet will quickly and resolutely decide to not be. The audience is then expected leave and go to the bar for an after-theater drink or ten.
I love Shakespeare! And that sounds like a brilliant adaptation of the story based on the audience. We’re not required to be perfectly accurate to the story.
I am telling the truth here: I have seen (besides the actual, vanilla play) seen two other versions of Much Ado About Nothing. One was British Spy themed, with bowler hats for the men and latex suits for the women and a Mini Cooper on stage. Another was Hip Hop with a live DJ on stage while high schoolers did the actual shakespeare lines. Like I said, there’s a lot of merit to updating the plays for your audience. And who doesn’t like drinks?
@Steve: Yes, adaptations — and drinks — are great. And the beauty of this adaptation is you don’t have to waste a lot of time in the theater before you can go out for drinks.
When Shalampax Speaks, Shalampaxians pack up and party hearty.
@Doctor Faustroll: Always!