The play's the thing

I burned through the first three acts of Hamlet in an impromptu performance tonight. I played opposite Wheeler, Moore, Sharon, Gallagher, and Scott. Our pronunciation, rhythm, and acting were atrocious. I loved every minute of it.

Wheeler has a class on Shakespeare this semester, you see. He was assigned to read the first act of Hamlet for tomorrow. Being a somewhat sensible and creative person, Wheeler decided that this assignment required a little extra participation. He grabbed the people who were on hand after Social Backgrounds let out at 10 p.m. and took us over to the library to check out individual copies of the play. We then took up residence in the lobby of one of the classroom buildings.

My largest part was that of King Claudius, although I occasionally stepped in when needed in the part of Marcellus, Rosencrantz, the Player, or (until Sharon came along) Ophelia.

My impressions:

1. Wheeler makes an impressively insinuative Polonius.

2. If you ever need a Monty Python voice for the queen of Denmark, talk to Gallagher.

3. It is unwise to play the part of the actor who embraces Ophelia, if Ophelia is played by the girlfriend of David Moore. My shins still hurt.

4. Speaking of Moore .... "Psst. Hamlet! You're madly in love and suicidal." I (the eavesdropping king) had to interrupt Hamlet's nunnery speech with a stage whisper to remind him of his motivation.

We ended Act III shortly before 1 a.m.

I wonder why we hadn't thought of doing this before.