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| Tom Vendafreddo, Fine Arts teacher, works with Lucas Tressler as Hamlet (right) and Sam Adamek as Laertes during the rehearsal of a fight scene. |
Drama Department finds new angle for Hamlet
 Shakespeare is meant to be performed, not read.
That is the main reason why director Bridget Sundin is excited about bringing the famous playwright's Hamlet to the LCHS theatre this weekend. The play opens on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. Other shows are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for students or $7 for adults.
The cast and crew comprise nearly 60 students, and many have been preparing for the performance since last summer.
The tragedy is about Hamlet's plan to avenge his father, the king of Denmark, who the prince learns was murdered by his uncle, Claudius. Claudius assumes the power of the throne and marries Gertrude, Hamlet's mother, soon after the king's funeral. Characters question whether or not Hamlet has gone mad following his father's death.
To enhance the climate of fear and hatred toward Claudius, Sundin took advantage of her director's discretion to set the play during World War II, just after the Nazi invasion of Denmark. While the late King Hamlet opposed the Nazi cause, King Claudius supports the Nazis.
Sundin said she looks forward to observing the audience's reaction to the show and whether or not their interpretation makes the play easy to understand. She also appreciates the leadership of the seniors.
The cast and crew will perform select scenes for senior World Literature students on Friday to help in their understanding of the play, which they will focus on in class throughout the month. |
