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The Times Advocate, 2008-06-04, Page 14Crossroads 14 Times -Advocate Wednesday, June 4, 2008 Victorian Hamlet put to the test in Stratford By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF STRATFORD — Revenge was served up on the Stratford stage May 27 with the opening performance of "Hamlet" featuring newcomer Ben Carlson in the leading role. This year's production is set in 1910 with the Victorian era con- straints of morality and duty adding to the difficulties Hamlet normally faces as he tries to come to terms with the murder of his father the king, at the hands of Hamlet's uncle Claudius, who has assumed the crown and married Hamlet's mother Gertrude. Hamlet's questioning of himself contrasts with the performance of Scott Wentworth as Claudius, who wraps himself in Victorian morality with a commanding presence although he is stained with his crimes of murder and incest. Like the era it is set in, Carlson and the other actors are convinced of their righteousness and bring self- assured performances to the play, which are matched by the Victorian spartan feel of the set, with military style costumes and direct, almost harsh lighting. Other modern elements such as Claudius and Laertes playing pool while they conspire to murder Hamlet add a fresh twist to the pro- duction. Unlike earlier eras with flickering candles and torchlight that allowed ambiguity, Hamlet is exposed even more by the direct lighting of the modern era. Holding his sword over a kneeling Claudius and questioning whether to take his revenge, an elec- tric light allows no middle ground for the wavering Hamlet, while after accidently killing Polonius, Hamlet flees into the darkened audience and is pinned by the flashlights of the searchers. With the Great War just four years in the future, the tragic events sweeping over the characters are both overshadowed and magnified by the greater tragedy that engulfed Europe in 1914. Unable to act, events overtake Hamlet and lead him to his fate, as happened to the actors on the European stage in the summer of 1914. When Hamlet asks himself his immortal question, it is the same as what Europe would ask itself in the midst of the inferno it had created. In the final scene, with bodies strewn across the stage, Horatio speaks "Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts, of accidental judgments, casual slaughters, of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause," words perhaps voiced by those left in 1918. Revenge sought — The opening night for the year's Stratford Festival produc- tion of Hamlet was held May 27 with Ben Carlson (above), in the leading role. Below, left, are Adrienne Gould as Ophelia,Tom Rooney as Horatio and Maria Ricossa as Gertrude. (photos/David Hou) St. Paul's Anglican celebrates Anniversary Sunday By Muriel Lewis GRANTON CORRESPONDENT GRANTON - A former minister at St. Thomas Anglican Church in Granton, Rev. Lyle A. Bennett in his 85th year died at Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care in London on Sun., May 25. The funeral service was held on Wednesday morning, May 28, at St. James Westminister Anglican Church in London with Archdeacon Ken Anderson officiating. He is survived by his wife Beth and son Bob, several grandchildren and brother Alton, nieces and nephews and was prede- ceased by son Tom. Interment in Beechwood Cemetery in Concord, Ont. At the Granton -Wesley United Church on Sun., June 1, Pastor Paul Vollick led the service and baptized Evalyn Taylor Smith Lambourn, granddaughter of Bonny and Ken Lambourn and daughter of Jay Lambourn. Catherine Dodds and Leeann Finkbeiner lit the Christ can- dle. The message was entitled "Behaviour Matters," and the Scripture readings were from Matthew 7 and Romans 1. Elizabeth Herbert assisted in the service, having earned her Religion in Life badge and certificate as a member of the 1st Lucan Pathfinders. Following the church service, George Hales presented Pastor Paul with gifts from the church and UCW and Margaret Bryan in honour of his graduation as a designated lay minis- ter. St. Paul's Anglican At St. Paul's Anglican Church in Kirkton on the third Sunday after Pentecost, June 1, Rev. Dalice Sim cel- ebrated the Holy Eucharist. The message was about showing forth God's love and mercy in the world. Bill Schaefer read the Lessons. The anthem by the choir on Anniversary Sunday was We'll Sing In The Morning. Flowers on the altar were given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Humphreys and Mr. and Mrs. Eric Humphreys by Jean Mills and Helen Shute. The flowers in the Nave were given to the glory of God and in loving mem- ory of Robert and Alice Dobson and their children Elsie, Cecil, Monty, Winnifred and Mary by Bill and Rosemary Schaefer. Following the service, everyone was invited to the lower hall for a social time and lunch to celebrate Bill and Rosemary Schaefer's 50th wedding anniversary, served by the Schaefer family.