October 11, 2012 Arts » Arts News

Pin It
Share

More by Kate Watson

  • Power of music

    Juanita Peters’ The San Family, running until Friday, focuses on the healing power of song.
    • by Kate Watson
    • Feb 28, 2013
  • More »

Going (Solo) 

Raoul Bhaneja plays 17 characters in this enlightening one-man version of Shakespeare's Hamlet

by
click to enlarge Raoul Bhaneja's got mad memorization skills.
  • Raoul Bhaneja's got mad memorization skills.

In Hamlet (Solo), Raoul Bhaneja uses the most minimalist of approaches---an empty stage, fixed lighting and head-to-toe black clothing---to bare the soul of the Bard's best-known tragedy. From the first moments when bitter winds whip the ramparts of the Danish castle (winds provided by Bhaneja and ramparts provided by imagination), to the closing "sweet prince" speech, the play engages on many levels. The 17 characters are all amazingly distinct, but Bhaneja needs only subtle body, voice and facial changes to differentiate them. His Hamlet is very human and relatable, his Ophelia heartbreakingly sweet and shattered and his Polonius makes the audience laugh out loud with his rambling speeches and clueless self-importance. "Tour de force" may be an over-used theatre cliche, but I can't think of a better way to describe this enlightening, entertaining one-man show.

To October 21, Neptune Studio Theatre, 1593 Argyle Street, 429-7070

more articles in Arts »

  • Raoul Bhaneja plays 17 characters in this enlightening one-man version of Shakespeare's Hamlet

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this thread:
By Email
With RSS

Add a comment

Latest in Arts News

In Print This Week

Vol 20, No 52
May 23, 2013

Cover Gallery »

Guides

© 2013 Coast Publishing Ltd.