Aquila Theater's touring production of William Shakespeare's Hamlet comes to the Alberta Bair in Billings March 14.
New York-based Aquila Theatre, under the artistic direction of Desiree Sanchez, returns to Alberta Bair Theater with Shakespeare’s Hamlet on Wednesday, March 14, with a curtain time of 7:30 p.m. A truncated performance begins at 12:30 as part of the Student Matinee Series.
Aquila’s minimalistic productions of Shakespeare have been critically acclaimed by The New Yorker as “beautifully spoken, dramatically revealing and crystalline in effect.” The New York Times says Aquila “makes Shakespeare perfectly comprehensible” and hails the company as “an extraordinarily inventive and disciplined outfit.”
Directed by Desiree Sanchez, Aquila’s Hamlet seeks to shed new light on this tragic story. The production does not rely on ornate costumes or scenery, rather it uses Sanchez’s innovative use of movement, design, sound, and superb acting to vividly explore the depths of rage, madness, love and death brought about by a culture of obsessive personal ambition.
Written in 1602, Hamlet, arguably William Shakespeare’s greatest play, is one of the most complete portrayals of the human psyche that exists in western literature. A compelling tale of familial discord, personal ambition, love and revenge, Hamlet has captivated audiences for more than 400 years.
With mortality and madness the most pronounced themes, characters Hamlet, Ophelia, Gertrude and Claudius inhabit a turbulent landscape full of deceit, mistrust and schemes.
Tickets, $35 and $19 for students with valid I.D., are available at the Alberta Bair Theater Box Office, by phone at 406-256-6052 (box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 -5 and Saturday 10 – 3) and/or online at www.albertabairtheater.org.
Tickets for the matinee are general admission and cost $5.50.