Mark Twain wrote, "There are five kinds of actresses: bad actresses, fair actresses, good actresses, great actresses. And then there is Sarah Bernhardt." In 1899, the international stage celebrity set out to tackle her most ambitious role yet: Hamlet. Theresa Rebeck's new play rollicks with high comedy and human drama, set against the lavish Shakespearean production that could make or break Bernhardt's career. Janet McTeer, "one of the finest classical actresses of her generation" (The Telegraph), brings the legendary leading lady to life. The remaining cast and creative team will be announced soon.
But for all of Bernhardt/Hamlet's limitations, it reminded me of Bernhardt's own motto: quand même, which translates roughly to 'even so' or 'at the same time.' While it is sometimes ungainly, the play is amusing on its own inside-theater terms. Moritz von Stuelpnagel's staging for the Roundabout has a handsome rotating set by Beowulf Boritt and capable performances not only by McTeer, who is incapable of being dull, but a strong supporting cast that includes Matthew Saldovar as an Art Nouveau poster artist, Nick Westrate as Bernhardt's son and Ito Aghayere as Rostand's plaintive wife. It also includes a few well-timed feminist zingers.
Playwright Theresa Rebeck offers her star many such pithy moments in her fact-based comedy/drama Bernhardt/Hamlet. Her explanation as to why a woman would be the most sensible choice to play Shakespeare's 'passionate, confused boy with the mind of a man of forty,' is inarguably logical. Her act one curtain line is a real kicker and there's a glorious scene of intellectual fury as she justifiably chastises a playwright who has written a role for her that he regards as 'the embodiment of female perfection,' but she immediately recognizes as 'some statue for you to throw your genius poetry at.'
2018 | Broadway |
Roundabout Theatre Company Original Broadway Production Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design for a Play | Toni-Leslie James |
2019 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Janet McTeer |
2019 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Scenic Design | Beowulf Boritt |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Play | Toni-Leslie James |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play | Janet McTeer |
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