Flathead offers new take on 'Hamlet'

Exploring the tragedy of “Hamlet” from a different point of view, Flathead High School theater department’s Acting 2 class will present “And Flights of Angels” at 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday in the school’s David M. Hashley Theatre.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children, students and senior citizens. Tickets are available at the school’s main office, Photo Video Plus and The Bookshelf.

In his final moments, Hamlet asks Horatio, his one, true friend, to tell his story to those who would not understand his life and death. In the moment Horatio blesses Hamlet with the words, “Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!”

“And Flights of Angels” is Horatio’s response to Hamlet’s plea; it is Horatio’s telling of Hamlet’s story written from Horatio’s own perspective.

What secret did Horatio know? What would he never repeat? What would he emphasize? And how should the story be told?

Since "the play's the thing," Horatio gathers a troupe of actors to "play the play” and reveal Hamlet’s secrets. By deconstructing the original “Hamlet” script, William Shakespeare’s immortal words come alive in this adaptation of the “Hamlet” story by Terrence Ortwein.

“This is an adaptation of Hamlet, written to be a one-act play that moves very quickly. It is entirely Shakespeare’s words, but drastically cut,” director Valeri McGarvey said. “‘Hamlet,’ in its entirety, is almost four hours long. When the text is distilled like this, there is a greater sense of urgency as the play moves quickly to its tragic end.”

 Acting 2 is one of nine classes offered at Flathead as part of the theater program curriculum. Acting 2 students learn about various theories of acting in the classroom setting and then participate in a theater production that allows them to experiment with acting techniques and creating character.

The students also are responsible for set, lighting, costume design and publicity for the show. They learn about the many facets of what it takes to put on a complete production.

“I chose this play because I have a very strong Acting 2 class with lots of boys in it. I knew they would be up to the challenge of the language and the artistic choice of telling Hamlet’s story in a new way,” McGarvey said.

“This is my last production as a teacher and the director of theater, so it is very special to me. I am thrilled to end my career with this bunch of dedicated and committed Acting 2 students. They are phenomenal.”

The cast of “And Flights of Angels” includes Jackson Davey, Lexi Blair, Johannes Grimm, Nathaniel Harding, Katie Keller, Ciana McConnell, Jenna McGuire, Becca Miletech, Ashli Petek, Dana Pfeifer, Jhalen Salazar, Jay Shonsey, Zacharaiah Timm, Alex Weaver, Jaben Wood, Alexandra Zografos and Shekinah Cates.

Behind the scenes, Brandon Shores, Jenna Wilke, Eric Hogan and Catie Henderson make up the stage, sound and lighting crew.