Bouncy Castle Hamlet
Strolling Theatricals
Rocket @ Demarco Roxy Arts House @ 11:00 9th – 19th (not 13th) £7.00 (£6.00)
***
Hamlet or indeed anything performed on a bouncy castle is an enticing concept, but what makes this so appealing is the play’s renowned and inherent seriousness. A Comedy of Errors on a bouncy castle would not perhaps be quite such a delectable thought, even though this is a comedy of errors.

The acting in this show isn’t great and I think they know that. But I can’t help wondering if this would be more entertaining if it were performed in a dead-pan style by more talented thespians.

Mostly relying upon sight gags and silliness, in the moments when they become sparse this is hard work for an audience. Vocally the cast need to project much more, bouncy castles are noisy things and their frequent inability to overpower the constant hum of the inflatable did nothing to help those present as their attention waned. There was much clock watching in the audience during the second hour, and necessary clock watching backstage too as the latter scenes were clipped due to over-running – two hours is a real push for this idea.

Nevertheless, Hamlet on a bouncy castle is a real treat, and everything that can be inflatable is indeed inflatable, from ghosts to thrones, spare the swords which I think was a terrible shame, thus missing a few more obvious sight gags that could have further stretched it’s endearing but shallow potential. Even that great Shakespeare ingredient, the play within the play, was performed on a bouncy castle within a bouncy castle.

Every use is made of their chosen staging, with it’s built in pros-arch. Entrances and exits are not merely confined to the open front section as characters vault the bouncy walls in both directions. The audience is even treated to the theatrical joy of witnessing the castle being inflated at the opening and subsequently deflated at its closure.

So much bouncing is clearly playing havoc and causing a number of worsening costume malfunctions; so much so, that I dread to think what shape there reasonably authentic attire will be in by the end of the run.

Resting upon its sole genre busting concept, this is still a great treat, and I pity the poor souls who go to their graves without having seen one of Shakespeare’s finest works performed in this way. Bouncy Castle Hamlet is a glorious shambles.

by Ian Phillips