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Elgin's Janus Theatre offers a fresh take on 'Hamlet'

“Hamlet.”

To some it is a long ponderous story, where a person can expect their legs to fall asleep.

But this won't be the case with Janus Theatre's upcoming adaptation, a promenade called “The Tragical History of Hamlet,” which is also the closing of the company's 18th year.

“We're taking it and adapting the script. It's much shorter than people are used to. It's also a promenade, so the actors walk and the audience walks with the actors from stage to stage,” said Sean Hargadon, who adapted the play and serves as artistic director. “It's very low tech. It's all about the story. So it's a different kind of theater experience.”

The show opens Saturday, April 23 and runs through Saturday, May 7, at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., eighth floor.

“It's what Sean called 'Hamlet's greatest hits,'” said Joe Cattoggio, who plays Hamlet. “It's the memorable scenes and the ones carrying the plot forward. You're not sitting through stuff that will confuse you. It's a quick version of the story, like Cliff Notes. It's no fear Shakespeare.”

Although the show has been compressed to about 90 minutes, the story remains recognizable, according to Hargadon.

“It still has the features you know, but it's much more of a domestic family drama now,” he said. “For those who know the play, it will feel new in some ways. For those that don't know the play it will make sense.”

The proximity of the audience not only affects the actors' performances but also makes the play more accessible for those experiencing it.

“We're close and they're close,” Hargadon said. “It causes a different dynamic between everybody and us. We've found, with Shakespeare, the closer you are, the more intimate it becomes.”

Those who are hesitant to attend a Shakespeare play may find that this production will make it less intimidating.

“This is our film noir, revenge version of the play,” said Hargadon.

Cattoggio surmised that the assumption that Shakespeare is out of reach to the average theatregoer comes from school days when it seemed a dry part of the curriculum.

“It's the playwright you study in school and you listen to your English teacher talk about the importance of 'Romeo and Juliet' and most of the time it's a groaning kind of 'we're doing Shakespeare again,'” he said. “They can rest easy because Shakespeare was meant to be seen and not read.”

“Doing Shakespeare, doing the language is always a challenge; understanding it and making it clear,” said Jim Hinton who plays Claudius and the ghost of Shakespeare's father. “So, it takes some extra concentration to make sure you get the meaning out.”

According to Hinton, however, it is the actor's responsibility to make the meaning of the words speak to the audience.

“The main thing, in terms of people understanding what's going on, is just us doing our jobs as actors, making it clear what we're saying and what we want through the language.”

The timelessness of the Bard's characters and their struggles also contributes to the understanding of the work, according to Hinton.

“Shakespeare is always relevant because he understood human nature so well. Human nature has not changed. He understands young people, middle-aged people, older people and that comes through.”

“He got so much right about people and how they operate, that's what people don't pick up on right away,” added Cattoggio. “He's very relatable. He goes through things everybody goes through. What's life all about, what's the point, how do we get up in the morning? Everybody, age, race, gender, we all go through it.”

Hargadon is aware that there are Shakespeare fans which consider his works to be a holy grail that should never be tinkered with, but he stresses that even Shakespeare changed his writing to accommodate his audiences.

“Even back then, there were many versions, depending one where he was playing, whether he was at court, whether he was playing at the globe, or on tour, there was a subtle change.”

“The biggest challenge of the play is that it's so enormous, not just in length but in ideas,” Hargadon said.

However, he hopes people are open to experiencing a fresh look at the play.

“I didn't think it would be adaptable, but it really is.”

“When you look at the play there's a lot of repetition, whether it's a plot device or an idea, that I'm cutting out so it's kind of cinematic and we jump ahead to another scene, time is moving. It holds together really well,” Hargadon continued, adding, “If you approach it with an open mind it will be a fun adventure.”

The cast includes Ann Marie Nordby of Arlington Heights, Melody Jefferies of Batavia, Jason Lacombe of Carol Stream, and Chicago residents Kelly Bolton, Joe Cattoggio, Jim Hinton and Ben Vogt.

Director Sean Hargadon, kneeling, works with the cast during a rehearsal for the Janus Theatre Company production of "The Tragical History of Hamlet." Hargadon's adaptation of Shakespeare's famous tragedy condenses some scenes and adds movement. COURTESY OF TARA SCHUMAN
Joe Cattoggio as Hamlet and Jim Hinton as the Ghost rehearse the Janus Theatre Company production of "The Tragical History of Hamlet," which opens Saturday in Elgin and runs through May 7. COURTESY OF TARA SCHUMAN

“The Tragical History of Hamlet”

<b>Where:</b> Elgin Art Showcase, eighth floor of Professional Building, 164 Division St., Elgin

<b>When:</b> 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, April 23, 24, 29, 30, and May 1 and 7

<b>Tickets:</b> $18

<b>Info:</b> <a href="http://www.janusplays.com">www.janusplays.com</a>

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