★★★★✰
Armed with a host of colourful scarves and costumes, Nicola Collett and Hannah Sweet ambitiously take on all eighteen roles in Sherman & Friends’ A Two Woman Hamlet. An adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most popular tragedies, the play follows Prince Hamlet of Denmark, who is plotting revenge on King Claudius for marrying his mother soon after his father died.
Director Mara Sherman’s creative decisions add a new, modern touch to the play. The nunnery scene, where Ophelia is sweet and simpering to Hamlet’s face, then shocked at his suggestions the second he leaves, is laugh-out-loud funny, and the bond between Hamlet and Horatio is very sweet, adding another dimension to the character of Hamlet. There is a feminine edge in Sweet’s portrayal of Claudius, while the gravedigger has a knowing air to his actions.
On the whole, the digital performance is very well filmed. The only part where we don’t have such a good view is when Ophelia drowns, which is symbolised by Collett drawing flowers on the audience member’s arms. However, this does not take away from the performance as Collett narrates her actions.
Both actresses give such a high energy performance, it is hard not to be amazed. They move seamlessly between characters, quickly putting on and removing various pieces of costume to signify these transitions. It can’t be easy to memorise the whole play, but the duo make it look easy. They are so neatly done that it can be hard to tell when a new character is speaking, and coupled with Shakespeare’s archaic language, this makes the play difficult to follow, particularly for those who are unfamiliar with Hamlet. The fight scene doesn’t have the same impact when there is only one person fighting, and the scene in which Polonius spies on Hamlet is also better suited to a larger cast. But overall, Sweet and Collett’s energy and commitment to the play is admirable, and I’m looking forward to watching them shine in future performances.
A Two Woman Hamlet is available on demand, or in person at Greenside @ Nicolson Square from 23-27 August as part of Edinburgh Fringe.
Words by Ellen Leslie
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