Troupe to Perform 'Hamlet'

"During the course of history 'Hamlet' has gained the reputation of being a very complex, extremely difficult role.

"But I don't think it's as difficult as history makes it out," says Rob Bristol, who will play the lead role for the New Shakespeare Players production, which opens Sept. 12.

The New Shakespeare Players, founded recently, will present their first production in the Glass Factory Theater,. on Arrow Press Square, Sept. 12-16, and 19-23, at 3 p.m.

The Glass Factory Theater is the former home of the Human Ensemble Theater. The New Shakespeare Players should not he confused with the Utah Shakespeare Players, which disbanded several months ago, although some of the actors in this show performed with the latter group.

"Growing up in school, all we heard was how difficult 'Hamlet' was, and it was every actor's dream to play the rolte. It's a difficult role, but I think it has been put on a higher pedestal than it should be," Bristol said.

"Hamlet" has had many interpretations over the years, just as most of Shakespeare's works have Rob says he is not using any stylized British approach.

"1'm not British, so I think it would be wrong to take that approach. I am trying to just play him as if he was a normal human being you would meet on the street, who just happens to be living in a difficult situation under a great amount of pressure.

"However anybody views 'Hamlet' and its interpretation is relevant to that individual. I don't think there is any set way he has to view it. One audience member may get one thing out of the play, and another may get something else.

"An important aspect is to go to the sense and feeling that an important line will give, rather than trying to understand every word. It's like listening to a piece of music - get the total feeling.

"I think too often, Shakespeare is done in a too dramatic oratorial approach - very stilted and stylized. Within the past ten years, the trend in doing Shakespeare is to get away from that, and make it a more palatable experience for everyone, rather than high-brow or stuffed-shirt theater."

Bristol said the Players will have a very small stage area, using simple sets. "The costumes are
going to be very low key and simple.

"The main thrust of this production, I think, is to rely on the power of the play and the relationships within the play, and to rely on the actors' abilities to convey that power and the relationships."

This production will have co-directors, Richard Lund and John Osburn; and Bristol thinks there are both advantages and disadvantages to that.

"You got more feedback, different ideas, twice as many possible ways to do things. A disadvantage is like that of having two captains -- who does the crew follow if the captains disagree?"

Bristol, a native of Queens, N.Y.,who lived several years in New Jersey, has performed at Catholic 'University in Washington, D C.. and at the University of Utah. He also studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute in New York. His most recent role was in the Greek Festival production at the U. He has also performed in Cedar City with the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

Other cast members for "Hamlet" will be Jane Bennion, Craig Cook, Will Dalley, Joe Hutchings, Barbara Smith, Eddie Coc, Dale Oliver, Kevin Peters, Rodney Reading, Greg Reece, Ephriam Schwartz, and Mark Sparkman.

Advance reservations may be made by calling 582-6788.