Funny Moments
Of the cast, Mike Baker had
some funny moments as Polonius,
in a rich interpretation of the
character, although his visual image
was much too youthful. Christabel
Gardner did very well by her role
of Gertrude, as did James Harris as
Horatio and Keith Kirby as Laertes.
Claire Howard was rather
ineffectual as Ophelia in the early
going, but rates plaudits for her
mad scene. Mr. James-Moore
improved significantly as Claudius
after his first scene fiasco, but
somehow he just didn't "look the
part." As a general comment, I
don't think the cast created a
sufficient aura of nobility.
My overall impression of the
production is one of mixed
sentiments. It was more of a
director's "Hamlet" than an actor's
"Hamlet." More discussion is likely
to center around Mr. Miller than
Mr. Thomas, the latter ironically
not being the dominant force in the
production. It was, in many
respects, a cold "Hamlet." Much of
it was devoid of perceptive
emotion, and when the emotion
came, it came in quick tidal waves.
It was not a distinguished
"Hamlet," but a daring one, and I
admire Mr. Miller for trying
something new, something original,
even if the result was greatly flawed
and occasionally monotonous
(especially in that troublesome first
half). At least the Oxford and
Cambridge Shakespeare Company
gave us a production to think and
argue about, and we look forward
to seeing them again next year.
