When I spoke to Barbara Metcalf, director of Nanaimo Theatre Group's production of Fortinbras, she said you don't have to read Hamlet to understand the play.
This may be true, but I think it may have been easier to understand some parts of it. The play is a humourous account of what happens after Hamlet, when everyone is dead.
Fortinbras, a prince in Norway, arrives at the scene and decides to make up his own version and run with it. The ghosts of the various characters pay him a visit and Fortinbras begins to understand maybe telling the truth in the first place would have been a better option.
I have to admit, even though I loved English in high school, Shakespeare was not a favourite and I relied heavily on Cole's Notes for help, as well as renting the movies. That said, Fortinbras is a funny, entertaining play, with a great cast.
Ophelia, played by Carolyn Berger, stole nearly every scene she was in and Nick Murphy, who played Fortinbras did a admirable job of carrying the play.
The first act dragged a bit in places as I learned who was who -- again those who read Hamlet will find this easier -- but by the second act, I knew what was going on and enjoyed it more. It was really original and one of the most original plays I've seen so far.
In the beginning, Hamlet communicates with the audience and the rest of the cast from a TV set, wheeled in by the other characters. It's entertaining watching as Fortinbras is the only one who can see the ghosts and they have fun playing with him and the other characters.
There were some very funny and risque moments as Fortinbras carried on a romance with the ghost of Ophelia -- who ended up looking a lot like Helena Bonham Carter's character in Fight Club in her tattered dress and messy hair. Garvin Moles who plays the suck-up Osric provided some additional comic relief.
Fortinbras plays at the Bailey Studio until May 13.
For tickets and information call the Nanaimo Theatre Group box office at 758-7224.