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And that‘s the way it was when the script of I Hate Hamlet was tossed into the ring for consideration and two actors offered themselves up as leads. Theatre Kelowna director Margret Gobie knew she could bring the comedy to life, especially with the roles of down-at-the-heels TV actor Andrew Rally and the ghost of John Barrymore being reprised by Joel Montegrande and Bob Sterling. The pair had undeniably clicked on stage with the Penticton staging of the fast-mouthed, funny and sometimes downright silly I Hate Hamlet last November. “They pitched the play and they were perfect for the part again,” Gobie recalled. “As a director, I have an idea in my head as to who would ‘fit‘ the roles. You can hear a voice, have a feel; and often a person walks in and they are the part. “They have the manner, the accent, the look, the ‘everything‘ you‘re looking for,‘” she said. With Montegrande and Sterling, the leads fit each like a glove, although a new director and a smaller stage-space also brought changes to the comedy. “It‘s an opportunity to revisit the role, to think about the scenes or approach the character from another point of view,” Sterling added. “You can dig a little deeper to bring moments to the script that might not have been touched before.” Montegrande agreed, noting the new-and-improved version of his flash-in-the-pan TV character, who is being forced to play Hamlet in Central Park, was played as angry and frustrated on the first go-round. However, Gobie has “mellowed him out.” “I‘m seeing Andrew as a completely different character,” he explained. “There‘s a much broader, deeper and better palette to him. I get to remake the character into a more likeable, insecure but genuinely good person.” Playing the dead legend John Barrymore (grandfather of actress Drew Barrymore), Sterling can “create something that‘s larger than life.” “You can go as big as you want, be unleashed and unbridled. He lived a large life, and it‘s appealing to try to fill those shoes,” Sterling added. “It‘s an opportunity to do my perception of the great Barrymore.” Adding a personal notation, Sterling was studying theatre in New York when I Hate Hamlet premiered on Broadway. Playwright Paul Rudnick cast his Barrymore, trifling with imminent disaster by choosing a reckless and notorious Scottish actor, prone to downing much liquor and overly-reveling, too much like the real Barrymore. The stage-Barrymore soon lived up to his reputation, embarking on a self-destructive binge. He groped and propositioned stage managers, murmured directions to other actors on stage, attempted to slug Rudnick backstage, sauntered into the theatre 10 minutes past curtain, slap-stabbed his Andrew during the swordfight and finally slept through an entire performance forcing the understudy on stage. “I never saw it, but for two weeks the drama on Broadway was played out on the front pages of New York newspapers,” Sterling recalled. Gobie trusts she has been much more fortunate in her casting, and has no qualms that all will unfold properly during the Theatre Kelowna production. “As a director, I try to create a safe environment where the actors can explore their characters in an emotionally friendly workspace,” she said. “It‘s a well-written, fun play to do.” The storyline finds Andrew living in the real Barrymore‘s New York apartment, dumped by his daytime TV drama, forced to play Hamlet, and living with girlfriend Deirdre (Catherine Thomas), who refuses to have sex before marriage. Making matters worse, to ‘get into‘ the Hamlet role, Andrew holds a séance to summon the ghost of Barrymore, and unfortunately succeeds. Decked out in full Shakespearean garb, Barrymore takes over the coaching of Andrew, both in the role and the ways of love by seducing Deidre. What could become of such a situation? “It‘s an homage to art, theatre and a love letter to Hamlet,” Sterling added. “A witty farce, funny show and love-story.” Quick hit: What: I Hate Hamlet, presented by Theatre Kelowna Society When: March 4 – 7 & March 18 – 21 Evening performances at 8 p.m. Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Where: Black Box Theatre, cabaret style with refreshments available Tickets: Available at selectyourtickets.com or at the door Top of Page |
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September 9, 2010, 1:47 pm |