Love hurts - and no one knows it better than Shakespeare's Ophelia. But the forlorn love martyr has suffered long enough, and in Caridad Svich's "12 Ophelias," the famed dame returns from the underworld for a second chance at rousing her heart's deathly pallor.
Trap Door Theatre transforms its small interior to a wonderland beset with pools of water, ivy, adorning tree roots and a full band of musicians that prance like fairies while accompanying the performance with original love songs. Lady Ophelia (Mildred Marie Langford) plays the agreeable but forlorn charmer until she finds Gertrude (Joslyn Jones), her fairy godmother, and finally learns her lesson on love. As the action unfolds, two androgynous, identically dressed clowns named R and G (presumably Rosencrantz & Guildenstern), played by Jen Ellison and Casey Chapman, provide running commentary laced with sexual innuendo.
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to throw together some of Shakespeare's most iconic characters for a second round in the ring, this is the play to see. Don’t worry if you can’t keep up with all the psychological twists and passions running amok; there will be enough sex and violence to keep you engaged with the performance.
Reviewed by Centerstage!
Map it