To go or not to go, that is the question. This summer go to the Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society’s upcoming production of Hamlet on several different venues.
Director Shelley Scott just finished casting this year’s production of Shakespeare’s beloved tragedy.
“We had a lot of women audition this year, so there may be some cross casting,” said director Shelley Scott, noting it will be a traditional interpretation of Hamlet.
“Usually Hamlet is set in Renaissance England, but ours will take place in medieval Denmark,” she continued.
“Kate (Connolly, artistic director) did a great job of abridging the play. She’s cut it down into an hour and a half. Our aim is to make it fast and exciting,” she said, adding while The Lethbridge Performance Society usually does comedies, this year they are doing one of Shakespeare’s best known tragedies.
“ Kate thought we already did all the comedies. So we’re doing a tragedy this year. And everybody knows Hamlet,” she said, noting there has been a lot of interest in auditions this year.
“ We have a wide range of ages auditioning. we have a lot of university students and community members, and board members,” she said, noting almost 30 actors auditioned for the show.
“It’s such a great script.There are a lot of great characters in Hamlet and lot’s of dialogue everybody will be familiar with,” Scott said.
So far 12 performances have been booked with another six to be confirmed.
The season opens Thursday, July 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Casa Plaza, where most of the shows will be taking place, July 14, 21, 28 and Aug 4 and 11.
Shows are also booked for the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens July 15, 22 and Aug. 12 and 18. There are also two out of town shows— Sunday, July 17 at the Coutts Centre in Nanton and at “The Venue” in High River, Sunday, July 30.
Most shows are Thursday and Friday nights.
“People should not be intimidated by it. It’s very engaging,” Scott said.
— BY Richard Amery, L.A beat Editor
