A Noise Within at the Historic Masonic Temple (Glendale, CA)
Mourning the untimely death of his father and nettled by festering resentment over the premature marriage of his mother and uncle, the core of Hamlet's soul is shaken by a visitor from beyond the grave. Lost in a labyrinth of guilt and rage, the young prince is forced to confront his own humanity in William Shakespeare's greatest tragedy.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
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This production, while containing excellent moments and a mostly competent cast, is not first rate and will be unsatisfying to anyone who has seen Shakespeare superbly done. It is a "pocket" version of Hamlet, cut (badly, I thought) and with a cast of only 10 who, with the exception of the 4 principle roles, play multiple parts. Outstanding work is done by Mark Bramhall in each of his roles - Player King/Gravedigger/Others. He brings a presence and immersion in character that is superb. Freddy Douglas, our Hamlet, is a gifted young actor, but his work is still raw and superficial. His lip never uncurls and he becomes tiresome. He will, I hope, develop greater depth and subtlety in his work and, if he does, he will be magnificent. The only dreadful performance of this production is that of Francois Giroday as Claudius. An imposing man physically with a Toby Mug face, he is nearly unintelligible most of the time, rolling his Rs and singing his lines in a hopelessly outdated style. Mr. Giroday is an excellent example of how not to act Shakespeare today, while letting us see just how bad the old school championed by the likes of Maurice Evans was.
This is, unfortunately, a production that misses many opportunities a fact that must be laid at the feet of Director Michael Michetti. Osric (Jacob Sidney) a sure-fire comedic character in most productions is blurred and falls flat here. Horatio (Steve Coombs) is here a superfluous, cigarette-smoking, indifferent pillar of cool and not believable as the best friend a troubled prince could have. Tony Abatemarco gets laughs as a bustling, "efficient" Polonius but misses the warmer colors which the role contains and which make us regret his death.
In short, this production is an "essence of Hamlet," performed by an uneven cast.
Though shorter, this was far superior to South Coast Rep's 2007 production of the same play. Especially effective in questioning Hamlet's sanity. Expect to see more of me at A Noise Within in the future.
A Noise Within presented a terrific Hamlet. It was (no small thanks to the playwrite) riviting. The cast was great, the sets were appropriate, the other production values were just right. I'd go again.
Prominent Glendale architect Arthur Lindley designed this ambitious nine-story reinforced concrete building in the 1920s, Glendale's "boom" decade, for the city's fast-growing Masonic organizations. With its Mediterranean and Art Deco elements, it was for many years the tallest building on Brand Boulevard.
Following the death of his father, Hamlet, prince of Denmark, returns home to find his uncle now occupies the throne and the queen's bed. Spurred by the ghost of his father and surrounded by spies, Hamlet must avenge his father's murder. An incisive portrait of a thinking man forced to act under chillingly perilous circumstances, Shakespeare's greatest revenge tragedy is one of the most widely read plays in Western literature.
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Michael Michetti
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