By Tracie Barrett
The Seoul Shakespeare Company has chosen an ambitious project for its third full-length production, taking on the bard's ultimate revenge tragedy, "Hamlet."
William Shakespeare's tale of the young Danish prince has been produced countless times around the world and its influence is seen in many modern works, with parallels found in stories as diverse as Walt Disney's "The Lion King" and HBO's "Sons of Anarchy."
Artistic Director Lindsey Higgins said the company was founded in March 2010, and has previously presented "The Tempest" and "Macbeth," as well as smaller productions.
She said the company "strives to produce quality productions that break linguistic and cultural boundaries while provoking questions and re-imagining Shakespeare's timeless themes."
For this production, director Jessica Adel has been rehearsing up to 14 hours a day with a cast of 16 and at least nine more crew members. The rehearsal days have been very long but are going very well, she said.
"It's gone a whole lot smoother than I expected. Most of the credit for that goes to the stage manager," Adel said, speaking of Angi Belsly, who she describes as the "resident stage manager for the Seoul theater community.
"The performances are so good. I really couldn't be any happier."
Adel, who says her directing style is "very visual and very movement based," has been involved in theater since she was a young girl and particularly enjoys Shakespearian works.
"What I like about Shakespeare is he's so transcendent and so timeless. I like to find the relevance in the modern day."
To keep that timeless quality, she has not set her Hamlet in any particular time period, but rather in a cold and dangerous world.
"It came from the image of icebergs I kept getting when I worked on the script," she said, "how the most dangerous parts lay below the surface."
The set design is enhanced by a sound palette put together by sound designer Brian MacQueen, who flew out from the United States to take part in the project.
"Hamlet" opens at the Kim Dong-soo Playhouse Saturday, April 13, for six shows only. Saturday performances on April 13, 20 and 27 start at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees will take place at 4 p.m. on April 14, 21 and 28. A short talk session will follow the matinees on April 14 and 21. Reservations can be made at ticketing@seoulshakespeare.com.
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| A poster for Seoul Shakespeare Company's "Hamlet" shows Kyle Johnson (lower) as Hamlet and Za'chary Westbrook as the Ghost of old Hamlet. |
William Shakespeare's tale of the young Danish prince has been produced countless times around the world and its influence is seen in many modern works, with parallels found in stories as diverse as Walt Disney's "The Lion King" and HBO's "Sons of Anarchy."
Artistic Director Lindsey Higgins said the company was founded in March 2010, and has previously presented "The Tempest" and "Macbeth," as well as smaller productions.
She said the company "strives to produce quality productions that break linguistic and cultural boundaries while provoking questions and re-imagining Shakespeare's timeless themes."
For this production, director Jessica Adel has been rehearsing up to 14 hours a day with a cast of 16 and at least nine more crew members. The rehearsal days have been very long but are going very well, she said.
"It's gone a whole lot smoother than I expected. Most of the credit for that goes to the stage manager," Adel said, speaking of Angi Belsly, who she describes as the "resident stage manager for the Seoul theater community.
"The performances are so good. I really couldn't be any happier."
Adel, who says her directing style is "very visual and very movement based," has been involved in theater since she was a young girl and particularly enjoys Shakespearian works.
"What I like about Shakespeare is he's so transcendent and so timeless. I like to find the relevance in the modern day."
To keep that timeless quality, she has not set her Hamlet in any particular time period, but rather in a cold and dangerous world.
"It came from the image of icebergs I kept getting when I worked on the script," she said, "how the most dangerous parts lay below the surface."
The set design is enhanced by a sound palette put together by sound designer Brian MacQueen, who flew out from the United States to take part in the project.
"Hamlet" opens at the Kim Dong-soo Playhouse Saturday, April 13, for six shows only. Saturday performances on April 13, 20 and 27 start at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees will take place at 4 p.m. on April 14, 21 and 28. A short talk session will follow the matinees on April 14 and 21. Reservations can be made at ticketing@seoulshakespeare.com.
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