The Theatre Program at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart will present a cast collaborative adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 27-29, in the Susan Saint James Performing Arts Center at the school, 760 E. Westleigh Road, Lake Forest.
“This production will emphasize the fear and terror inspired by the era between 1950 and 1970 under South American military dictatorships, giving the show a unique and eerie edge,” said costume director/cast member Arabella McMenamin Walshe, a Woodlands Academy senior from Highland Park.
“The cast hopes to highlight the confusion, oppression, horror and moral dilemmas in ‘Hamlet’ through this historical setting.”
One of the parallel themes driving this adaptation is the oppression and revolt of women that are fundamental in both “Hamlet” and South American history. Another is what McMenamin Walshe describes as the similarities between King Claudius, the authoritarian monarch in Shakespeare’s classic, and former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.
“Latin American culture is rich and cannot be stereotyped as one entire culture. We plan to bring cultural elements from different Latin American countries into our production,” McMenamin Walshe said.
“As you watch our performance of ‘Hamlet,’ you will notice how we establish and clarify our historical setting through stage sets, material props, music, voice clippings, costumes and design elements.”
Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. For information, visit www.woodlandsacademy.org or call (847) 234-4300.
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