Chris Pennock in Hamlet

Due to "unforeseen circumstances", performances from April 2 through the 8th have also been cancelled and opening night has been "temporarily rescheduled" for Friday, April 9, and the Tamarind Theatre has extended an apology for any inconvenience this may cause.

How bizarre.

Apparently, something is rotten in the state of Denmark. 

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

Opening night photos!

Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, April 9, 2004 on wireimage.com

Includes two pics of Chris Pennock on stage.

And opening night *finally* comes off. But I'm sure no one was more happy about that than the actors. 

Great photos of Pennock. Thanks (as always  ) for the link.

Typed from the L.A. Times article appearing in today's Calendar Section

Thank you, Bette, for the heads up!  My only other comment is OHMYGOD!!!
Something rotten indeed, forsooth

     "Hamlet" at the Tamarind falls into that category of purgatorial theater--a production so dreadful that a poor playgoer will surely receive comp time in the afterlife for merely sitting through it.  From beginning to end, it is a royal pain in the arras.
     Note to Francesco Vitali, who plays Hamlet (and happens to be the Tamarind's artistic director):  Next time you mount such a blatant vanity production, try Neil Simon.  It's easier to ad lib in contemporary English.
     Speaking of English, the Greek-born Vitali has an accent so thick you can cut it with a rapier, complete with a Schwarzenegger "s" that he adds liberally where it doesn't belong ("Lady, shall I lie in your laps?").  Instead of rectifying that liability through projection and enunciation, Vitali proceeds to gulp his lines like a drowning man.  Half his speeches are incoherent, and those that are roughly comprehensible are butchered.   ("What a piece of work is the man.")
     Unfortunately, the problem isn't confined to the star.  Line amnesia and slurred speeches are rampant.  A few performers manage to tread water in the vicinity of the shipwreck, but all hands are eventually dragged to muddy death.
     Director Aaron Mullen has scads of reputable credits, but he can't stem the tide of disaster.  This "Hamlet" is notable for its enormous advertising budget, evidenced by the big glitzy posters seen about town.  That money would have been better spent hiring vocal coaches.

--F.K.F.

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"Hamlet," Tamarind Theare, 5919 Franklin Ave., Hollywood.  Wednesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m.  Ends May 30.  $25-$35.  (323) 465-7980.  Running time:  2 hours, 45 minutes.[/font]

Typed from the L.A. Times article appearing in today's Calendar Section

Typed?!!

Much appreciated, truly. 

My only other comment is OHMYGOD!!!

I can't think of a better expression, so I add my own OHMIGOD!!!

I can't think of having ever read so scathing a review of any theater production ...

The reference to a "vanity" production does bear out the websites, though ...

If it's really this bad, the audience must feel embarrassed just sitting there ...

I'm reminded of the absurdly terrible production of "Hamlet" in "Great Expectations," which is enlivened, however, by the audience's wisecracks!  (Pip and Herbert are so mortified for Mr. Wopsle's performance that they try to slip out unnoticed!  Poor Mr. Wopsle never recovers, theatrically speaking!)

I wonder if they'll actually run to May 30.

I wonder if they'll actually run to May 30.

One suspects not if enough people read that review, believe it, and stay away in droves.  :-

I wonder if they'll actually run to May 30.

One suspects not if enough people read that review, believe it, and stay away in droves.  :-

(Yay, I'm able to post again!)

Judging from the performance pictures, it looks like *everyone* in the cast was
"Ham(let)ing it up" bigtime.  No doubt it can be cool to play Hamlet for laughs, but this apparently was NOT intended or advertised as a parody.

The actress playing Queen Gert bears a resemblance to Julie "She's so statuesque" Newmar in the latter's prime.  The Hamlet in question, in the first picture, looks rather like he's about to BITE the fair Ophelia, not merely consigning her to a "nunnery".  As for "our" C.P., well, I HOPE his actual performance was more serious than those pix (where he looks more nauseated than terrified or angry) implied.

 And if those were the minimalist "sets" (not even a real curtain for Polonius to hide behind)--- well, maybe Signor Vitali should have saved some of his advertising budget and obtained REAL sets.

In CT next month, at a MAJOR theater, there's going to be yet ANOTHER, serious-for-real Hamlet in nihilistic modern dress :- , directed by a Yugoslavian expatriate, as though that fact alone gives it additional legitimacy.

Gaack, for MY money give me the Branagh version, even though HE looked kind of silly with the bleached blond look....

In CT next month, at a MAJOR theater, there's going to be yet ANOTHER, serious-for-real Hamlet in nihilistic modern dress :- , directed by a Yugoslavian expatriate, as though that fact alone gives it additional legitimacy.

You wouldn't be talking about Liviu Ciulei, would you?  I think I saw a "Hamlet" he directed about 20 years ago in Minneapolis (and he definitely directed a "Tempest" I saw).  If that's the director, at least he has a lot of experience under the belt.

All remaining performances of the play have been cancelled.   :-

The rest is silence. 

Snort.

All remaining performances of the play have been cancelled.   :-

Alas Poor Chris we knew him!

All remaining performances of the play have been cancelled.   :-

Alas Poor Chris we knew him!

Now, now, look at the bright side...   
This will surely provide inspiration  for Chris's latest autobiographical 
comic book....

L.