Word: hamlets
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What's the latest equivalent of the comic who wants to play Hamlet? A comic film maker who takes it in mind to rewrite Shakespeare. In the past month, the two most distinguished confectors of '70s movie comedy have genuflected before the Bard in order to elevate the adolescent tone of current screen fare. First, Woody Allen frolicked midst woodland nymphs in A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy. Now Paul Mazursky (Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, Harry and Tonto) has gone to "an uninhabited island" for his gloss on Shakespeare's last great play...
Ophelia's brother Laertes is usually considered to be an Angry Young Man. But since this label has been commandeered by Walken's Hamlet. Chris Sarandon's Laertes has chosen to take on Hamlet's customary poetic sensibility. Sarandon displays the vocal virtues that were evident in his Prince Hal a few weeks ago. His Laertes is beautifully spoken, with plenty of variety and modulation. Yet he can summon up power when demanding of the King where his father Polonius is (even threateningly laying a sword on the King's shoulder), or when voicing his eagerness to engage Hamlet...
...strange, too, that a man who has murdered his way to the throne and is hanging onto it for dear life never once appears with a crown on his head. At the end, however, his indulges in a fresh bit of business: instead of being stabbed with Hamlet's poisoned rapier, he tries to seize the weapon and fatally cuts himself in the tussle. Once again, I wish Gwynne and Dotrice had swapped assignments...
...first half of the play, Lisabeth Bartlett is an appealing Ophelia. But when the maiden loses her wits, she rises to heartrending heights, even thinking that Horatio is her beloved Hamlet. Her final two appearances are strong, violent, and above all inventive; they constitute, quite simply, the best Mad Ophelia I have ever seen...
...introduction of 'Hamlet' is scheduled to continue in Stratford through Sept. 5. The drive to the AST grounds on the Housatonto River takes about two and three-quarters hours at legal speeds, via the Massachusetts Turnpike. Interstate 86 and 91, and the Connecticut Turnpike to Exit 32 or 31. Performances in the air-conditioned theater tend to start promptly at the designated hour. There are facilities for picnickers on the premises, and four minstrels sing and play on the lawn a half hour before curtain...