A William Shakespeare classic ‘Hamlet’

William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet” opened Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the Georgia College Campus Black Box Theatre as an theatre-in-the-round performance.

This performance of “Hamlet” was adapted and directed by Karen Berman, chair of the Department of Theatre.

“I am excited we have adapted the four-and-a-half-hour ‘Hamlet’ script into an action-packed two hours,” Berman said in a press release. “I can’t wait for the audience to attend this interactive wedding set in the art nouveau, turn-of-the-century era with gorgeous costumes. As wedding guests, the audience will view the show through Hamlet’s distorted vision that includes dance-like elements.”

The performance is considered to be environmental theater where the actors interact with the audience and the audience, in turn, feels as if it is a part of the play.

Actors portraying players or singers greet the audience as it makes its way into the lobby of the Campus Black Box Theatre. Wedding cake is served just before the troupe of players escorts the audience into the theater with a song.

Kendyl Wade | gcsunade.com

mmy Holder (left), Shirelle Ruddock (center) and Evan Fields (right) take the stage in-the-round during their performance of “Hamlet.” The play was an interactive experience where members of the audience were active participants in various parts of the famous Shakespeare play.

Upon entering the theater, it seems like a step back in time to 1915, the year that Berman’s adaptation of “Hamlet” took place. The audience emerges onto the scene of Gertrude and Claudius’ wedding where everyone is celebrating and dancing and being merry, all save Hamlet, played by Evan Fields, a senior theater major.“It’s been a great experience,” Fields said, on his semester preparing for the role. “It’s been one of the best experiences that I’ve had working on a show just because (of) this character; I get really into it.”

The character of Hamlet is known to be a twisted character, sickened by madness. The play opens with Hamlet, depressed and saddened by his father’s death, and as the play progresses his character continues to become darker.

“It is my favorite Shakespeare play, my favorite character,” Fields said. “(Hamlet) is a really great acting challenge. I like challenges. And he’s got a lot of levels.”

A unique characteristic of Berman’s adaptation of this Shakespearean play is that two female roles, Ophelia and Gertrude, are played by three separate actresses, each representing Hamlet’s different perceptions of women since his state of madness: the virgin, the mother and the whore.

Rachel Harwell, Leah Keelan and Carson Butterworth collectively take on the tragic role of Ophelia.

Berman’s adaptation of the play portrays the fractured personalities of all the characters that make up the story of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”

The actors immerse themselves in the portrayal of their characters, and the in-the-round stage setup adds for a more intimate experience between the audience members and the action taking part on the stage.

The play continues this Tuesday, Nov. 15, and Wednesday, Nov. 16. General admission is $14; senior citizens, GC faculty and staff is $10, and students are $5.