The Half

Reviews & features

The Half

6 Aug 2012

Backstage one-man Hamlet is a cliché-ridden indulgence

In his dressing room, an ageing, embittered thesp – divorced and teetering off the wagon – prepares to play his one-man uncut Hamlet. In the half hour before the beginners are called, he unravels and implodes. Why did it have to be Hamlet? Had Richard…

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The Stage: The Half (review)

1. Guy Masterson – 8 Aug 2012, 11:20am Report

I have read your review with interest, and felt that a little clarification is in order. I agree wholeheartedly that my performance needed reigning in. You saw an early frenetic show, too angry, embittered and unfocused. As the play teeters on the razor's edge of overindulgence, I do not doubt that you recoiled. The director was in that day and addressed these issues. They have been fixed. That is the beauty of live theatre.
Your point about picking Hamlet as the subject, however, is less valid. Firstly, the playwright picked Hamlet precisely because of the parallels with the Actor's life and the quotes from the play reflect the Actor's conundrum. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the general public can relate to Hamlet probably more than Willy Loman or Eva Peron even at the lowest level. i.e. Hamlet's basic dilemmas - procrastination, action, inaction, indecision etc. They know it from school and possibly from having been exposed to the play in some way - unlike Willy Loman. It is precisely this general knowledge that gives the general audience (not the literati) a chance to identify with the Actor and empathise with his plight - which only a few would be able to do if the play were about Willy Loman.
Finally, the play is an entertainment, first and foremost. It is a comedy and a tragedy for a general audience, not just thise involved with theatre. Yes, there are cliches in there and, guess what? While those if us involved might think some of the observations and lines cliched and hackneyed, the audience loves them. You, as someone that frequents theatre and probably writes plays, or fir the theatre and about it, might like to write or see something else. But I would think that you should really try to review the play that's there, not the play you would prefer to be there. It's like saying that a particular comedian is not funny when the audience are laughing riotously. YOU may not appreciate the jokes, but that comic clearly IS funny. You can't just report that he's crap because he's not telling the jokes you'd like to hear. In my case, this is reflected by the other reviews my show is receiving. (see above)

2. Phil1Edinburgh – 10 Aug 2012, 5:40pm The Half Report

Well I for one thoroughly enjoyed the play on many levels including my 50 year old memories of studying Hamlet for O Levels. To me Hamlet was the vehicle for portraying the character of the man with all his weaknesses, hopes, failures and stubbornness to keep trying. I found it positive and uplifting particularly the music theme that was used to make the gift from his wife poignantat the end. The 100 plus audience I watched also enjoyed the show maybe the reviewer is a bit out of touch or abit rushed that day.

Well worth the time to have an enjoyable Hour of theatre from a professional actor.