one4review | On 18, Aug 2024

It is no secret because of the image for the show, that we are likely to
find ourselves in the presence of the late King’s court jester, the
greatest in all of Denmark.

So this light piece of inventive theatre based on Hamlet will be a
pleasant hour for those who enjoy their Shakespeare, although a costume
closer to a jester’s motley of harlequin diamonds would have better
suited, if only to get people quickly on track and not wondering why
there is a barefoot clown onstage..

The play’s charming and entertaining weaving of the known parts of
Yorick’s life story with an imagined backstory in interesting, and
intriguing particularly because when he is involved with the characters
in Hamlet, he is invisible – we know he is already dead – but this play
proposes that his supposedly ghostly interjections influence characters
responses. This is not as deep as it may sound but is an interesting
explanation, plus there is the fact that this is effectively a play
within a play within a play.

George Rennie’s performance was no more nor no less than what it is
reasonable to hope for in a portacabin without wings, which necessitates
using the entrance door which lets in bright daylight for offstage
business, that is happening in the morning, in the company of a small
and quiet though accommodating audience, who had unfortunately been
allowed to scatter around the room; all seated centrally would have
helped the experience enormously for everyone.

This piece worked into something bigger and stronger could become rather
special. Meanwhile Hamstrung at EdFringe2024 proved to be a gently
enjoyable start to the day, building slowly while establishing the
premise before gathering speed, that many Hamlet enthusiasts will
appreciate.

***1/2
Reviewed by HJ
Pleasance Courtyard, Baby Grand
11:30 (1 hr)
until 26 August