Review of Marin Shakespeare Company’s Hamlet

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Performing from June 16 - July 16.

Review by Hannah Yurke.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Marin Shakespeare Company’s diverse and contemporary interpretation of Hamlet. Sitting in the relaxed setting of their outdoor theater, surrounded by trees swaying in the light breeze, as darkness fell, I felt the connection between the past and the present very strongly. Ghostly magic was definitely afoot in this still relevant, 400 year old play.

Nick Musleh as Hamlet was compelling as he drifts in and out of madness. It’s the nuance, the inner conflict and turbulence, the human flaws of conflict avoidance and failure to act that keeps this play relevant. Musleh’s Hamlet was sympathetic and easy to follow, as he contemplates how unlucky he is to be selected to take revenge. I couldn’t help but be reminded of a certain latter day, headline grabbing, petulant prince. However, it didn’t seem to occur to Hamlet to write a tell all biography, diss his family and make untold millions. Alas, Hamlet’s way through the thicket was less auspicious. 

The elegant désirée freda, as Ophelia was a standout in yellow, the symbol of ‘the primrose path of dalliance,’ although her proclivity for angry rap gave her sharper corners. Hamlet’s ambivalence spurred her tragic descent, which in this production was provocatively aided by a dependence on unspecified medication of some kind. As she descends into helpless grief and madness, the contrast between her preoccupation with herbs for healing and her need for something much stronger seemed remarkably contemporary and all the more tragic.

Known for the line, ‘Frailty, thy name is woman.’ Hamlet, and in turn Shakespeare, have often been accused of misogyny. Both Gertrude and Ophelia’s personal strength and integrity come into question in this play, although, in their defense, they’re both at the mercy of overbearing men. And if that’s not relevant I don’t know what is. The feminists are not done yet. Hamlet himself is not a strong person, and without throwing in any spoilers, his inability to act has repercussions. Bearing this in mind, it was interesting to see that Laertes, Horatio, Rosenkrantz, Guildenstern, and the full throated Grave Digger come Clown King, were all played by women, which was a great way to level some of the more misogynistic overtones. 

My one quibble was with the staging of the play within a play. In the original script, Hamlet arranges to have the player king dramatically murdered, in order to provoke the treacherous Claudius. This production avoided broaching this visually. Instead, a ghostly character in deer horns sings the play within a play, which although spooky and atmospheric, missed a major plot point. The actor, the very talented Lady Zen, is a trained opera singer and their admirable voice was thankfully well utilized, but I still wanted to see the death of the player king, at this point. It’s a major story beat, and someone who doesn’t know the play could easily lose the plot here. But that apart, this interpretation of Hamlet succeeded incredibly well overall.

The use of weapons too was interesting. Guns among the rapiers and poisoned cups, did more to bring this performance forward by several centuries. Costumes were notable, with green a theme, and some wonderful sparkly notes and Cinderella style glittering high heels threaded through. The men looked dapper too, lots of cool Chelsea boots, and muted browns and greys. Good footwear in a play’s the thing!

The theater itself is a hidden gem. The play was riveting. Watching Shakespeare in the open air is a wonderful way to celebrate summer. Snacks and drinks were affordable. (Unlike the theaters in San Francisco, where we paid $76 for three drinks and a tub of popcorn, a good reason, in itself, to visit with caution). All the outdoor pleasures of the mountain play with no mountain to climb. Do yourself a favor and go and see this enchanting production of Hamlet. 

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COST: $15 - $40
$40 general; $35 senior (65 and up); and $15 youth (25 and under). Preview performances are $20, $10 youth. Marin Shakespeare Company also offers those 65 and over $20 tickets at designated Senior Matinees. Students who are 18 and under are admitted free at designated Family Matinee performances.

WHERE: Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, on the campus of Dominican University of California, 890 Belle Avenue, San Rafael, CA

WHEN: Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 5:00 pm. Doors open one hour before show for picnicking.

NEXT PRODUCTION: TWELFTH NIGHT, directed by Bridgette Loriaux  August 4 – September 3, Family Day is August 13.