BAM's Hamlet Falters, Bedlam's Othello Electrifies

Shakespeare's revenge tragedies "Hamlet" and "Othello" are currently being presented in New York, nearly concurrently. The National Theater's modern-dress "Hamlet," at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, features a production described as discordant and slack in tension. Actor Hiran Abeysekera's portrayal of Prince Hamlet is characterized by casualness and a "Fleabag"-like approach, breaking the fourth wall. Ophelia, played by Francesca Mills, is depicted as a modern, insouciant spirit, though Mills maintains control of the verse. Director Robert Hastie made textual modifications, notably moving the "To be or not to be" soliloquy to follow Ophelia's burial. Conversely, Bedlam's "Othello" at the West End Theater is hailed as electrifying and fast-paced. Director Eric Tucker's stripped-down technique, with four actors playing all roles, enhances the intensity. This radical economy of staging, using minimal props and a simple set, captivates attention and fosters creativity. Moments of spectacle are achieved through sound and darkness, with the actors delivering superb performances. The character of Emilia, played by Susannah Millonzi, offers a poignant reflection on the wrongs men do to women, a sentiment that resonates deeply.