Versai Knight and Ian R Q Slater Photo by Broken Chain

Hamlet is a revenge tragedy; it is Shakespeare's longest play and his most popular. It has been translated into many languages, and productions can be huge professional undertakings or small amateur productions. Many famous and exemplary actors want to play the part at some point in their career.

Director Leslee Richards and The Vortex Theatre have given us an approachable Hamlet. Focusing on the core story of the young Prince, Richards has edited the typical four hour plus playing time down to two acts and a running time of 135 minutes. Many small characters have been cut or merged with others (Fortinbras does not appear, and the political intrigue he represents is eliminated).

This is a minimalist Hamlet that is staged on a bleak and static unit set that vaguely represents the battlements of Elsinore Castle. Costumes are modified modern attire; few properties are used. The lighting is appropriate to the action. Care has been taken with movement and the fight scenes. All the elements are in service of the script and the characters.

Casting the part of Hamlet is, of course, key to the success of any production. Leslee has found a young actor who is up to the rigors of the part. Ian R.Q. Slater manages the poetic language with aplomb and excels in the movement and fighting that is called for. Ian transitions to each sublime soliloquy with an easy naturalness and does not go "over the top" with screaming to make a point. Hamlet is always at the center of the action and Ian holds that center well.

Outstanding performances are delivered by Justin Young as Claudius, imbuing the usurping uncle with a slimy quality, Anne Portman as Gertrude, who is befuddled and barely able to absorb what is going on around her, and Harry Zimmerman as a perfectly pontificating Polonius–his children, Versai Knight as Ophelia and Graydon Clarke as Laertes, are less successful. Where Versai Knight is a wonderful technical actor, her descent into madness does not completely ring true. The part of Laertes has been cut dramatically and Graydon seems somewhat lost.

Miguel Martinez as the Gravedigger and Dachary Vann as his assistant were only beginning to find the rhythm of the famous scene at the performance I attended. Brent Whitted as the Ghost and the Player King has a wonderful voice and physical presence for both parts. This cast highlights some impressive Albuquerque acting talent.

The Vortex Theatre's production ofHamlet is approachable and understandable theatre. There is little pageantry here, but the classic tragedy is front and center. This is a gentle Hamlet and a very accessible production. Bring your friends who claim they can't understand Shakespeare. They will discover the allure.

Hamlet runs through April 27, 2025, at The Vortex Theatre, 2900 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque NM. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm. Tickets are $24, Discounted $20-student/union. For tickets and information, please call 505 247-8600 or visit www.vortexabq.org.

Directed by Leslee Richards. Set Designer: Mary Rossman, Lighting Design: RayRey Griego and Emma Ziegler, Costume Design: Kip Caswell and Louisa O'Neill, Movement Director: Judith Chazin-Bennahum, Fight Choreographer: Tait Alexander, Composer: Casey Mraz.

The Cast: Ian R.Q. Slater, Versai Knight, Justin Young, Anne Portman, Harry Zimmerman, Graydon Clarke, Emily Cox, Colyn Morris, Jesse Liesveld, Miguel Martinez, Dachary Vann, Brent Whitted, Kainon Bachtel, Kellen Paine, Carson M. Berger.