Hamlet
Eddie Izzard is brilliant.
It is interesting that this is the second one-person show at Shakespeare Theatre this year. While I am not always a fan of such shows, this one is not to be missed.
Currently there are two thoroughly entertaining shows running simultaneously at the Shakespeare. They are an intriguing coupling with the first to open, which I reviewed, Hamnet, now at Harman Hall. Hamnet being Shakespeare’s son who died young and was said to be the motivation for his writing Hamlet.
Now there is this production of Hamlet at the Klein Theatre, adapted by Mark Izzard and directed by Selina Cadell. What can one say about Hamlet that hasn’t been said before. So, this production is all about the star. Eddie Izzard’s version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet sees her take on 23 characters in an incredibly unique re-telling of the iconic play. The King of Denmark is dead, and Prince Hamlet is determined to take revenge, initiating a cascade of events that will destroy both family and state. Izzard, all without a costume change, portrays men, women, ghosts, scholars, tyrants, courtiers, lovers, and fools in what the London Telegraph called “An impressive sweeping performance”. And how can I dare not agree with the fabulous Dame Judi Dench who said, “Eddie’s Hamlet is spectacular.”
Eddie Izzard is brilliant. Even with what seemed like the usual spring allergies you get in DC, it seemed she had, which caused her to cough and clear her throat at times during the show. One felt for her as she is speaking non-stop for nearly two hours, with a fifteen-minute intermission. There is no understudy in a one-woman show. Izzard manages to keep you enthralled with how she voices all the characters in Hamlet. The way she uses her hands for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern is very funny, and so effective. She gets us to feel the different scenes by simply walking around a very basic set, and is helped by an incredibly talented lighting, and sound, team. All-in-all, this is a great night in the theatre.
But fair warning, it is not Hamlet you are going to see, it is an Eddie Izzard show all the way. Some of you may remember seeing a brilliant Hamlet at the Shakespeare Theatre in 2018, when the lead was played by the supremely talented Michael Urie, and Rosencrantz by his equally talented partner, Ryan Spahn. Eddie Izzard simply uses Hamlet as her vehicle to showcase her amazing talent. She could do any show, and you don’t want to miss seeing her.
As I have written before, we in D.C. owe a great debt to the Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Theatre, Simon Godwin, for bringing us such amazing shows, and talent.
The entire creative team backing Izzard is superb. It includes Set Designer, Tom Piper; Lighting Design, Tyler Elich with Anthony Forchielli; Music, Eliza Thompson; and Costume Stylists, Tom Piper and Libby DaCosta.
Once again, it all comes together for a great night in the theater. Hamlet will be at the Klein Theatre until April 11th. Tickets are available online and will sell fast, so get yours today.