Of Yobbos and Hamlet ( and Mark Kilmurry )

“One of the most enlightening and engaging productions of Hamlet you’re likely to see in a year.” That’s how Diana Simmons reviewed Mark Kilmurry’s production in the Sunday Telegraph.

Just seven actors brought Shakespeare’s “ripping yarn” as Kilmurry describes it, to life in a thrilling,physical theatre version performed in the round. No props, simple costumes and the raw power of words thrown into sharp relief against a compelling sound scape.

Mark Kilmurry achieved the near impossible by both directing and playing the lead role with a clarity and insight that made this Hamlet feel as if you were hearing it for the first time.

His tour de force was supported by a strong cast including Daniel Mitchell as Polonius and an unforgettable Grave digger. Daniel was last at Riverside in Visiting Mr Green playing opposite his father Warren Mitchell, Toni Scanlan was a strong and sympathetic Gertrude well matched by Patrick Dickson, one of the stars of Sea Change, as Claudius and the Ghost, Ben Ager played Horatio, John Trutwin doubled as Laertes and Guildenstern and Gina Zoia as Ophelia and Rosencrantz.

This was a very physical Hamlet played at high energy levels with a sword fight so brilliantly staged that the audience was on the edge of their seats to the very end. Hamlet was produced in conjunction with Mark Kilmurry’s Studio Company,renowned for a sparse and distinctive style of theatre so acclaimed in his very successful productions of Mercy Thieves and The Dumb Waiter seen earlier this year. Also an accomplished playwright, Mark’s production of Hammerkalvier written for Susie Linderman, toured to Paris and London.

He will present his one man show Will The Real James Dean Please Stand Up off Broadway next year. Riverside is planning to premiere in 2005, Mark’s play Arthur & Amy, based on the lives of English actors Arthur Dacre and Amy Rozelle who toured Australia in the late 18th century with dramatic results.This was also the first Riverside co-production to be created specifically for our subscription season and we intend for many more of the same high calibre to follow.

Hamlet will return to Riverside in 2006 followed by a regional tour. We can’t do better than quote Diana Simmons once more, “This is a Hamlet to savour and see again (when you can).”What’s on?For further details call
the Riverside Box office
on 8839 3399 NOW or visit
www.riversideparramatta.com.au By Camilla Rountree