Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Alex Lawther is an authentically troubled HAMLET in Robert Icke’s surveillance-noir staging

• By drediman
• July 4, 2022
• No Comments

This holiday weekend at the Park Avenue Armory, I attended a performance of Hamlet headlined by Alex Lawther as the troubled Danish prince. Directed by Robert Icke, the revival was first seen at London’s Almeida Theatre, a venue much, much more intimate than the epically proportioned Wade Thompson Drill Hall of the Armory (the title role was originally played by Fleabag‘s Andrew Scott when the production was unveiled across the pond). Later in its New York run, the production will play in repertory with Aeschylus’s Oresteia, also staged by Mr. Icke.

Mr. Icke has pieced together a fascinating modern dress Hamlet, intelligently weaving together the characters’ domestic drama with their roles as public and political figures (which is a rarity). As both psychological thriller and a panoramic depiction of international affairs, the physically expanded Hildegarde Bechtler-designed production – with its atmospheric surveillance-noir qualities, which play off themes explored in Ick’s jarring stage adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984 – plays well in the much larger playing area. Unlike most productions of the tragedy I’ve seen, the director and his star opt to subdue the obvious comedic and dramatic contrivances of the work, choosing even to edit well-known passages in favor of streamlined storytelling and sharper characterizations.

Mr. Lawther makes for an authentically troubled Hamlet. Unlike many actors I’ve seen take on the iconic role, this Hamlet’s existential revelations and musings seem organically discovered and earned. The rest of the cast is excellent, ascribing well to the director’s chiseled vision for the play (unfortunately, the great Jennifer Ehle was indisposed at the performance I attended; Lise Bruneau admirably stepped in to portray Gertrude). The clever use of live video to give viewers close-up access to their performances alleviates some of the challenges of watching a performance in such a large venue.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

HAMLET
Off-Broadway, Play
Park Avenue Armory
3 hours, 20 minutes (with two intermissions)
Through August 13