A Two Woman Hamlet

Seen at Edinburgh Festival Fringe on the 10^th of August 2022

5 stars – literally marvellous

I thought it wasn’t literal. I thought it must be some reduction of a kind, something more or less inspired by the Shakespearean tragedy. I didn’t think it possible that two people could do the whole of Hamlet. I was wrong.

A tie, a pair of glasses, or a foulard distinguish the characters, a strategy that allows the two actresses to perform them all. Thanks to Mara Sherman’s genius direction, the changes are extremely swift, and they make the play flow without causing any inconvenience. But not only do the actresses wear accessories, they fully embody all characters, and, despite the extremely fast-paced rhythm, they develop the hues of each and every one of them.

While Nicola Collett and Hannah Sweet metamorphose under our eyes countless times, their words flow without the weight of centuries. The energy on scene is so palpable that it alone builds the show, and the absence of music is not a lack, but space left free for that energy to fill.

Despite the location not being the best fit for the play, despite the lights illuminating the first two rows of seats (including where I was sitting, which doesn’t really help concentration), assisting this play has been a marvellous experience, which gave me goosebumps on various occasions.

Online watch-on-demand version available here!

Aug 5-13, 16-20, 22-27; 5.15 pm

Running time: 1 hour

Venue 209 Greenside @Nicholson Square – Lime Studio

Tickets and Info: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/two-woman-hamlet

Company Website: https://www.maramakestheater.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atwowomanhamlet/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwoHamlet

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2WomanHamlet