Following a June 2 opening, Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” plays at South Coast Repertory (SCR) through July 1. As staged by Tony Award-winner Daniel Sullivan (“Proof”), it has all the elements that comprise a definitive production. Whether it is definitive is subjective and depends upon one’s experience with the great tragedy. How it compares with the Old Globe’s “Hamlet,” opening later this month, remains to be seen. Bardolators naturally want to see both.
Hamish Linklater’s SCR Hamlet does not obliterate memories of Jefferson Mays’ at San Diego Repertory Theatre or Campbell Scott’s at the Old Globe; however, his quirkily physical and well-spoken Danish prince is definitely among the best ever witnessed. Linklater ” whose mother, Kristin Linklater, is a founding member of the Massachusetts-based Shakespeare & Company” is beloved by television viewers for his role in “The New Adventures of Old Christine.” He proves himself a wondrously adept stage actor.
The SCR production is rife with Old Globe veterans from what might be termed the Shakespeare glory years. Sullivan’s most recent Globe staging was 2003’s highly praised “Julius Caesar,” which featured Robert Foxworth in the title role. At SCR Foxworth presents Hamlet’s murderous uncle, Claudius, as an overtly likeable fellow, virile, assured and charismatic.
Old Globe associate artist Dakin Matthews, who played Casca in the Globe’s “Julius Caesar,” gets a lot of laughs in his marvelous portrayal of Ophelia’s father, a bumbling and interfering old coot.
Other Globe veterans at SCR include Michael Urie (memorable in the Globe’s 2006 productions of “Titus Andronicus,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Othello”) as Horatio, Hamlet’s true friend and confidant; and Graham Hamilton (title role in “Vincent in Brixton” and 2004’s “The Two Noble Kinsmen”) as Laertes, Ophelia’s brother. Attractive SCR veteran Linda Gehringer melodiously plays Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother, like a cello.
Old Globe associate artist Ralph Funicello ” who also creates sets for The Old Globe Shakespeare Festival 2007 ” designed SCR’s “Hamlet” set, a highly serviceable wooden platform backed by an immense reproduction of Pieter Bruegel’s “Dulle Griet” (c. 1562). On either side of the platform, open space allows company members to witness the action and to quickly enter ensuing scenes. Worth a drive to South Coast Plaza, the production clocks in at three hours, including a 15-minute interval.
Visit www.scr.org or call (714) 708-5555 for tickets.
The Globe lineup
To be staged by Old Globe Shakespeare Festival artistic director Darko Tresnjak, “Hamlet” plays June 16 (official opening June 30) through Sept. 30 in the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. Tresnjak’s Hamlet is Lucas Hall, who portrayed the entrepreneurial publisher in last season’s production of Richard Greenberg’s “The Violet Hour.”
Also scheduled are Shakespeare’s “The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” which opens in previews June 20 (official opening, July 3), staged by Matt August; and “Measure for Measure,” which opens in previews June 23 (official opening, July 7), staged by Paul Mullins. Costume designers are Globe associate artist Robert Morgan and Fabio Tablini.
Featuring a 26-member resident company, including Globe veterans Celeste Ciulla, Tom Hammond, Charles Janasz, associate artist Jonathan McMurtry and Bruce Turk, six additional Equity players and students from the Old Globe/University of San Diego Master of Fine Arts Program, the three productions play in rotating repertory at 8 p.m. nightly except Monday at The Old Globe, 1362 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park. For tickets and information, visit www.theoldglobe.org or (619) 23-GLOBE.
