Photo By: C. Stanley Photography
To laugh or not to laugh? That is not the question. In Faction of Fools’
HAMLECCHINO: Clown Prince of Denmark,
the pensive and tormented character of Prince
Hamlet is infused with the comedic spirit of Arlecchino, the servant-like
Commedia dell’Arte character, to create a fresh take on the prince who must
avenge his father’s death.
Hamlecchino (Matthew R. Wilson) was already feeling uneasy
about his father’s death and the speed with which his mother, Queen Gertrude
(Eva Wilhelm) gave her affections to Claudius (Billy Finn), the elder Hamlet’s
brother, and Hamlecchino’s uncle, who is now the King of Denmark. Learning that Hamlet was overthrown in
a treacherous murder plot carried out by his uncle King Claudius, further tortures
Hamlecchino, as he becomes “a rogue and peasant slave” to the retribution he
must carry-out.
Taking on the nimble characteristics of Arlecchino,
Hamlecchino is seen bouncing around and reasoning aloud to himself about
whether and how he should seek revenge against King Claudius. But all this talking aloud about his
uncertainty, agony, and contemplation of suicide, lead the characters to
believe that Hamlecchino’s madness is due to his unrequited love of Ophelia
(Emma Crane Foster). The inaction
of Shakespeare’s Hamlet is intensified by Hamlecchino’s foolery, as he sways
between intense protestation of his duty, and a lamenting for the lack of
passion he has to get the job done.
Yet we see him accidentally bring Polonius to his grave, for which he shows
little remorse. Hamlecchino merely breathes an unsympathetic “farewell” after
seeing Polonius (Toby Mullford), the father of Ophelia, fall at his hands.
The nimble Hamlecchino, played by Faction of Fools artistic
director, isn’t the only character refashioned with a whimsical façade in this
slapstick comedy. In fact, we see
many of the stock characters of Commedia dell’Arte adapted to HAMLECCHINO. Pulcinella
materializes as the apparition of the elder Hamlet that only Hamlecchino
and some foot soldiers can see. Polonius is the know-it-all-character, or the Dottore, who is actually far from it,
and his daughter Ophelia along with Laertes (John V. Bellomo) are the innamorati, the over dramatic lovers who
are more overtaken with the idea and emotions of love, than their object of
affection. Gertrude is the easily
aroused Donna Zezza, and Claudius the
infiltrating Capitano.
It is not only the commedia dell’Arte characters that lend
themselves to this re-envisioned Hamlet, but also the antics of the 16th
century theater that we have come to know and love while laughing at the Fools for the past three seasons. The out-of-place limbo dance and
calypso music as the Norwegians seize Denmark; the skull that is found during
grave digging that Hamlecchino moves to sing a ‘”cha-cha-cha” ditty as he
reminisces that it was his favorite jester; Polonius trying to communicate with
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern through gestures and slow speech, even though they
are using ASL; and plenty of sexual innuendo add to the comic relief of the
serious plot.
Amazement doesn’t stop in HAMLECCHINO. Amelia Hensley and Marianna Devenow, two
Gallaudet students that play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, give added depth to
the player’s use of over–the-top physicality. Ophelia’s ribbon-climbing
acrobatic scene and dramatic song near her death marvel, while also setting a
more somber tone. And the intense
sword fight that leads to death of most of the characters is well
choreographed, but may leave some front-row audience members anxious about
their own fate. One lucky one
might just catch the crown!
HAMLECCHINO, the final show of the Faction of Fools’ third
season is playing at Gallaudet Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 pm, and a
matinee show on Saturdays (2 pm), through May 19 -
Follow the
link to buy tickets.
