Divine revenge

Big Idea Theatre’s current show is modern-dress, black-box Hamlet, which is executed by a compact cast of seven, with cuts to the script bringing the run time down to two-and-a-half hours. It’s a chance for veteran actor Scott Divine (who’s played the title role before, in the same space) to revisit the part “one last time.”

Divine’s Hamlet is less “noble” and more driven by revenge, talking lots, yet somehow taciturn and abrupt—less language-driven than some. He utters famous speeches in a dizzy stream of consciousness. When he goes mad, you wouldn’t want to stand nearby. And when overcome by anger, he manhandles love interest Ophelia (Shannon Mahoney) and his hastily remarried mother (Mahoney again).

Casting Mahoney in those two critical parts generates some sparks—Hamlet’s often played with Oedipal tendencies. But while Mahoney handles each role credibly, these parts might be better served by two actresses (with Gertrude more visibly older than Hamlet).

Barrel-chested, bearded James E. Roberts is strong as the chattering Polonius. Jan Lindman (Claudius, Ghost) is an effective mix of outward charm and cloaked villainy. Siblings Melissa and Kirk Blackinton play multiple characters, including Hamlet’s “friends” Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

This lean little show isn’t flashy, but it’s largely on target.