That it should come to this!

So, someone has wronged you.
Thinking of a little well deserved revenge?
Imagining various scenarios even...?

Before you go any further you may want to see this little play called Hamlet.

A reminder of  the effect revenge can have on the initiators and those surrounding them, Hamlet may be an extreme example, but it's a lesson worth being reminded of.

"An eye for an eye would make the whole world blind," as Ghandi said, long after Shakespeare's time, but the message is still the same.


Aahh....young love, what could possibly go wrong?
Ophelia & Hamlet, Ashley Bufkin & Geo Nikols

Photo courtesy of Table 8 Productions

Table 8 Productions' modern interpretation of "Hamlet" was the perfect scenario to bring someone who has never seen a Shakespeare play. In this case, it was my husband. I am happy to say he was impressed by their expressive and contemporary version of the classic.

As I wrote in a previous blog, Shaking up Shakespeare, many directors are re-shaping William Shakespeare's works to fit modern audiences without breaking the cardinal rule and changing the magical language. This opens up the experience to so many more, which is always a goal of those passionate about the performing arts. We know quality art affects people and we want everyone to be able to be "in on it!"

This production was beautifully directed by Troy Heard with a talented cast of seven. Since every director has a defining style, I asked Troy about his.

I don't feel limited by the style of the show, having hopped between 

campy musical to serious drama several times this year. 

I look for strong characters who go through a struggle and

find a redemption.  I've applied that to shows 

from "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" to "Hamlet."  

Troy Heard

Heard is a director of note in Las Vegas for doing exactly this. He was recently selected "Director of the Year" by the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Nevada Public Radio's Desert Companion magazine.

I know I am looking forward to future performances by Table 8 Productions. 

"Hamlet aside, the purpose of Table 8 Productions 
is to rediscover rarely produced plays 
from new and classic authors." 

Troy Heard

Cast of "Hamlet" L to R
Ronn L. Williams, Jr., David McKee, Kim Glover, Ashley Bufkin
Geo Nikols, Mick Axelrod, Brandon Alan McClenahan
Photo courtesy of Table 8 Productions

Playbill

Cast

Hamlet.................................Geo Nikols

Claudius/Ghost......................Ronn L. Williams, Jr.

Gertrude/Osric.......................Kim Glover

Polonius/Gravedigger............. David McKee

Laertes/Guildenstern...............Brandon Alan McClenahan

Ophelia/Rosencranz............... Ashley Bufkin

Horatio/Player........................Mick Axelrod

Production Staff

Director/Production Designer...Troy Heard

Fight Director........................Sean Critchfield

Sound Designer.....................Sandy Stein

Lighting Designer...................Jake Coppenhaver

Promotional Photography........Bill Hughes

Executive Producers...............Gina Quaranto, Richard Brusky, Michael Bennett

Special thanks to Michael Morse, Brandon Burk, Eve Van Roekel Smith, Erik Amblad, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Las Vegas CityLife, Las Vegas SEVEN, our Indiegogo fans, and of course William Shakespeare.

Very special thanks to Gina Quaranto of Blackbird Studios for generously providing a rehearsal home. www.blackbirdstudioslv.com

"That it should come to this!"......William Shakespeare, Hamlet, 1.2