Hamlet Max

Encapsulated Review (full review at Bitter Lemons): HAMLET MAX may be co-presented by Schkapf and Sacred Fools Theater, but this is Jacob Sidney’s project all the way. He not only has adapted the material from Shakespeare’s Hamlet but also serves as producer, director, and lead actor. HAMLET MAX’s visual presentation is the most unique quality of this production. Using projections of original artwork by Hillary Bauman (which were then subtlety animated by Chris Hutchings), Sidney turns the entire play into a living graphic novel. Those not already intimately familiar with the original material may find this adapted version tougher going, however. Even more problematic is the tendency for some of the actors, particularly Sidney, to shout ... full review

Bravo! A beautiful Hamlet with innovative design and stellar acting. More please!... full review

Shakespeare's longest play condensed to 90 minutes. That makes for concentration, and the essential elements are there, though it's a bit odd to miss some famous lines, including some from Hamlet's soliloquies. Ending with Laertes' farewell "Good night, sweet prince" is very moving. The acting was good. I thought Claudius (Jonathan Goldstein) was a standout, as was Ophelia (Corryn Cummins), who played the mad scene very effectively. Matt Henerson was impressive as Polonius and the Gravedigger (lots of parts were doubled). Hamlet (Andy Hirsch) was good, but I thought delivered his lines rapidly and with little inflection. The most interesting feature was the anime-inspired backdrop drawings by Hillary Bauman, which evoked a post-apocal... full review

A great adaptation with smart use of projection and recorded passages. Jacob Dietzman shines as Hamlet, and the ensemble were fantastic. ... full review

We enjoyed this production a lot. Sitting in the front row during the swordfight at the end was quite an experience given the tiny stage. Well thought out, good acting, gorgeous animated backdrop, and original music too.... full review

I enjoyed some of Hamlet Max. Stellar performance from Corryn Cummins as Ophelia. Kathy Bell Denton is excellent as Gertrude as is Jonathan Goldstein's voice-over work. Different interpretation. It has some good moments. Worth seeing. ... full review

Fantastic performances by ALL the actors. The music was great, the VO superb and the animated backdrop was incredible. The only downside, which, unfortunately, proved to be MAJOR, was the fact that the AV techs could not keep quiet throughout the ENTIRE show. Their whispering and giggling kept taking me out of the performance, and, as I noticed about half of the viewers also seated on the left side, as well, who would often look around or behind them, confused as to who kept talking during the performance. Hopefully, this will be remedied soon, as the show itself was amazing, and the actors, not those working offstage, should be the ones who garner all of the deserved attention. ... full review

What a finely acted fresh take on this sturdy old classic. Hamlet Max was a inventive Hamlet, reduced to 90 minutes and based on the 2nd Quarto which I'd never read before. The edits made to the text left the piece almost stronger than a full edition. It was tighter and more powerful and paced extremely well. Most importantly, the acting and direction was clearly coming from a place of deep understanding of the text. With standout performances by Jonathan Goldstein, Matt Henerson and a riveting performance by director/producer Jacob Sidney as Hamlet himself. What's more it was a surprise and delight to see a Fringe show with excellent production values. The projections done in a graphic novel/manga style added a visual depth to the productio... full review

Fantastic! An action packed 90 minutes. The visuals added to the story telling and were beautiful in and of themselves. A must see!... full review

The title of Jacob Sidney’s futuristic Hamlet refers to the Dane’s dead father Maximus, a character who never appears live on stage but only materializes as part of Hillary Bauman’s black & white anime projections on a screen behind the actors. The audience sees the ghost fade in and out behind them while a mirthless Hamlet peers out over the audience and responds to his father somewhere out in the empty wasteland beyond us. It is a stylistic element that characterizes Sidney’s Hamlet in a production that is a steely mix of live action and introspective contemplation. As an exercise, it is immensely thought-provoking, but because each of the actors is already working within his or her own individual style, it keeps the sum of its parts fr... full review