Just how bad can one group perform Shakespeare? Apparently pretty bad. But believe it or not, the performances are bad on purpose.
Keep that in mind when you attend a performance of ‘Barbequing Hamlet? by Clarkston High School’s ‘Fearless Faculty Footlighters.?
The play by Pat Cook focuses on a group of wanna-be thespians in a small community theater group as they cast, prepare and perform an awful version of Shakespeare’s classic play.
Teacher Elanor Hallman plays the lead as Margo, a woman brought on by the group’s fine arts council to direct the play. Margo has to cast the play from a small pool of unqualified applicants. Some are too picky, some are too desperate, some are a bit too full of themselves, but can any of them act?
The audience finds out, because like the Shakespearian counterpart, ‘Barbequing Hamlet? features a play within a play. For one scene, the group performs their slightly off-kilter take on Hamlet.
‘Barbequing Hamlet? is directed by retired Clarkston Schools teacher Marlene Switch. The Foolighters are a group composed mostly of CHS and CJHS faculty, but also staff and students from CHS. The group has performed annually for more than 20 years, with all proceeds going towards student scholarships and faculty needs.
Rich Erhardt, faculty play coordinator, said the group’s decision to perform ‘Barbequing Hamlet? was based largely on the contemporary humor. Erhardt said in the past, the group performed plays that are more than 30 years old, and they felt the time was right to try something with more modern humor. Erhardt also said the play is appropriate for all ages.
‘Barbequing Hamlet? will show Nov. 18 and 19 at the Performing Arts Center at Clarkston High School. Both performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and cost $6 for adults and $4 for students and seniors.
For more info call 248-623-3725.