Why it was so good.

Ophelia's Madness, originally uploaded by Cameron Maddux.

OK. Let me see if I can articulate a few reasons why the Hamlet production was such a treat.

1) We took a boat to it.
2) We were on a prison island - "Denmark is a prison." The prison feel is used as a device over and over. Watching through a fence or cell bars the illusive mind of Hamlet unravel - perfect.


3) When the actors talked about wind, firmament and sun - there was actual wind, sky and sun.
4) The sun set and the temperature dropped with the decline of Hamlet's mood.
5) We would follow the actors from scene to scene. Blood circulation is a lovely thing when going through a Shakespeare drama.
6) Sam practically ran from scene to scene, so as not to miss the action. You can now have wonder-filled conversations with him about the story of Hamlet. Hoo-ray!


7) Not only was every location different, but you could move around the scene. I was able to frame the scene as I wanted it, not as my chair and stage set it before me.
8) Rosencrantz and Guildenstern asides. One time during a Polonius and Ophelia conversation, these two did a touch of "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" on the fringe of the audience (where I happened to be.) Another time, they were doing the "Heads" coin flip bit while we were walking in between scenes.
9) The day-to-day of my life makes it difficult to relate to a suicidal prince contemplating murder while dipping in and out of psychosis. Alcatraz is part of my daily commute - but it is steeped in deprivation and violence. I was finally able to contemplate Hamlet during the performance, rather than just through lone study.
10) I stood alone next to Ophelia inside an Alcatraz cell while she overheard the "To Be or Not to Be" soliloquy. For the first time, I listened to it not from inside Hamlet's mind, but a loved one's.

I just wanted to jot that down so I don't forget.