“Classic” does not mean out-of-date or dull, and an energetic and passionate cast of ETSU students is trying to prove that through a fresh representation of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”
“Whenever a Shakespeare play is done, you want to breathe new life to it, but not in the sense of dumbing it down,” says director Herb Parker, an ETSU theatre professor and regional theater professional. “You want to bring the material up through the intelligence of your performers and also bring the audience along with the story so that they can understand and follow the play.”
Shakespeare’s epic tragedy tells the story of Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, who wants to avenge the death of his father, the king.
His uncle Claudius, perpetrated the killing and married Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude, to obtain the throne. The play portrays a wide range of strong feelings, from grief to passion and madness.
Even though a piece as famous as “Hamlet” has been produced hundreds of ways, ETSU’s Theatre Division is preparing a unique interpretation of the play, Parker says, through modern dress, a conversational style and adjustments to some of the scenes and lines. “You can always pretend you found a new play and look at it as if it is never been done before,” he says. “I moved scenes around and cut some lines. You have the freedom to do that, as long as it is close to context.”
Written around 1601, the text of the play is overflowing with heavy Elizabethan slang, which might represent a challenge for the actors and the audience.
“Language was such an art form when the text was written,” says junior Bethany Waddell, who portrays Gertrude. “There are definitely some lines that are difficult to pronounce, but it is still English, so the understanding will come.”
To make it easier for the audience to understand the lines, Parker has been strict with the actors about the pronunciation, he says, emphasizing the importance of correct articulation, punctuation and endings of the words. There will not be any British accents or declamatory delivery of the speech, says Parker, who is a diction coach and oft-Shakespearean actor. “I want the actors to be as conversational as they can be with a Shakespearian text and try to make the words their own.”
Another innovative aspect of this production is its stage. Three platforms with two levels will be mobile and move forward or backward depending on the act and scenes.
It helps the play move more quickly from scene to scene, Parker says, and makes for a shorter evening in the theater and a sense of movement, momentum. “Everyone knows at least a little about ‘Hamlet ‘and we do not want to bore people,” he says.
The cast totals 16 actors who give life to 23 characters. For most of them, “Hamlet” represents a premiere – either their first main stage role or the first role in a classic piece.
Siblings Ophelia and Laertes are being portrayed by two freshmen theatre majors: Savannah Arwood and Samuel Floyd.
While Floyd performed in a student production last semester, and Arwood appeared in fall’s “Inherit the Wind” and “Quilters” at ETSU, the Shakespearean standard presents new opportunities for both actors.
“Ophelia is a neat role for me, and for the first time I feel really challenged,” says Arwood, 19, who portrays Hamlet’s sweet but ill-fated beloved.
The challenge of connecting a “traditional” play to modern ways is a priority for the actors, as well.
Senior Maury Reed portrays the main character, Hamlet. “Hamlet is very difficult, especially because everybody knows it, has expectations about what its character should or should not be,” says Reed, who has performed in “Inherit,” “Grease,” “Actor’s Nightmare,” “Cherry Orchard” and “Glass Menagerie” since coming to ETSU.
“When it comes to it, you have to completely push that thought process outside and let whatever happens happen. I am trying to make him as dynamic as possible, angry and philosophical.”
For junior Waddell, Queen Gertrude is her first role in a play written by Shakespeare.
Even though her character has been performed many times before, Waddell says she would rather investigate her character by herself and not be influenced by other actresses’ interpretation. “I do not want to mirror myself after anybody else’s character,” she said. “I want mine to be unique.”
This different interpretation of “Hamlet” will be an experience for the people who already know “Hamlet,” as well as for those who are not familiar with Shakespeare’s plays, Parker says. “As a beginner, it is a mistake to try to understand every word,” he says. “Simply try to sense what is going on emotionally between the characters and you will find yourself in the story.”
“Hamlet” will run Wednesday, April 22 at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. and a final presentation Sunday, April 26, at 2 p.m. – all in VA Memorial Theatre. For reservations, call (423) 439-7576.

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