I Am Hamlet: Review by Daniel Dercksen

Reviewed by Daniel Dercksen :What Simon says, matters
'I am Hamlet'
Directed by Patrick Walton
Cast: Leon Clingman and Aidan Whytock

Capetown theatre buffs are fortunate to have an independent producer like Sugar-Daddy feeding us with slices of imposing international plays.

Following its sensational Line, the staging of British playwright Richard James' witty and intelligent I Am Hamlet is another sumptous feast.

Theatregoers are ultimate voyeurs, and ultimately want their craving satisfied. With the delicious mindbender I am Hamlet, one viewing is definitely not enough.

The stage becomes a battleground of wit and willpower between a conceited actor and imposing director, who use the 'flowery' words of the Bard to duel to the death.

It's one of those ingenious creations where a deadly secret is neatly wrapped into its core, and as the play unfolds, the audience slowly unravels with the characters and the result is devestatingly profound.

Swapping roles, where the director's impassioned and over-dramatic interpretations have to be reigned in by the actor, or where the actor's lack of interest of understanding forces the director to tear out his hair, it's amusing drama that playfully untangles the knots and unnerves thior confidence and bravura.

The Intimate Theatre is offers a perfect setting for the play, allowing the audience to step on to the stage with the actor, and share the audition process intimately. It is this soothing seduction that ultimately poisons reason and reveals its melevolent nature.

As hidden motives and buried secrets reveal the true nature of the motivations of the characters and the action, Shakespeare's Hamlet is indeed a wonderful metaphor to reflect the turmoil and disillusionment of the characters. I am Hamlet skillfully journeys into the mindscape of the anxious characters, exposing emotional torment

An underlying anger exposes a fragile vulnerability that is sometimes funny, and sometimes heartbreaking.

There's definitely "more than meets the eye!" and what Simon says, matters.

Knowledge and knowing battle ignorance as the ritualistic audition becomes a platform that tests theirs strengths and weaknesses. The audition and Shakespeare's words touches a nerve that triggers unexpected behavior and crucifies morality. The audition turns into a personal interrogation that result in some great interaction and reaction between the performers.

Leon Clingman delivers an astounding (and sometmes frightening) performance as a director who yearns to gain recognition in mainstream theatre.

Aidan Whytock is a revelation with his masterful abilty to balance introspective silence with intense emotions; his sensitive vulnerabilty and fearful aggression is superb as we slowly learn that Simon has more in common with the Prince of Denmark than meets the eye.
Imaginatively directed by Patrick Walton, I am Hamlet is one of those rare gems you have to experience.

Purgatorio

It is quite difficult to describe this play - moving, complex, mind blowing....totally absorbing!

Terry Norton and Dawid Minnaar were magnificent in the way that they seamlessly changed characters, appearance and roles from the soul searching for clemency to the interrogator driving the deep introspection needed to escape the room and "them". Slowly the audience becomes aware of the terrible events that brought them to purgatory - the passions and self interest that is so much part of us all. What is fascinating is watching the knife turn as each facade is stripped away and how we rebel against self awareness.

I sat there breathless hanging on each word not sure how it would play out. It is an intense drama but well worth every second

A MECCA Award for Peter Hayes

Peter Hayes took his play "The Tricky Part" to fesitvals in Canada and won the best visiting play. He has performed the play at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown (2006&2007), the Downstairs Theatre in Jo'burg and here at the Baxter. We went to see the play in September 2007. The best that I can describe this emotional performance is captivating. I hung on every word waiting for what was going to happen next. The production was not well supported but those who attended were blown away. It is fabulous that South African artists are recognised internationally. It just confirms that immense talent that we have at home. Now we need more people to support the productions. Well Done Peter!!!!
Angela