Georgetown College’s Student–Run Newspaper
November 15, 2017
Volume CXXXVII Issue 21
“Breakneck Hamlet” comes to Georgetown College By RACHEL CHEATHAM Web Editor On Monday, Nov. 13, at 8 p.m. actor Tim Mooney walked onto stage and proceeded to explain the next hour to his audience. Sixty minutes was all Tim Mooney gave himself to act out the tale of Hamlet, a five–act play usually performed in four hours.
Source: Timonthy Mooney
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The stage was lit with green light as Mooney began to set the foundation and backstory for the rest of his one–man play. Most of the audience had probably read Hamlet at some point. However, as would be the case for the rest of the performance, Mooney was able to breathe new life into a centuries–old synopsis. One can’t help but laugh when Mooney points out the dramatic and exciting tendencies Hamlet had, saying, “In Hamlet’s depiction it sounds almost like a frat party.” Immediately after, he finished contextualizing the play the light switched, and suddenly he was no longer Tim Mooney, but had taken on the role of Hamlet, the returning
Prince of Denmark. It was his seamless blend into character that captivated the audience for an hour. Mooney didn’t dissolve into his interpretation of the characters, but instead blended his personality with them. This added a comedic touch to a tragic play. His timing and his use of space demanded the audience’s attention. Source: Timonthy Mooney Besides the leading man, the stage itself was only injection humor in the most adorned with a skull, throne mundane details. and rug. It was still the same His humor could also be Hill Chapel, and yet through seen in his involvement with Mooney’s commanding, con- the audience. Towards the fident body language and middle of the performance precise vocal inflection he Mooney continued to dance was able to transform it into around the edge of the stage, a throne room, into another teasing the audience members country entirely. with the invisible wall conHis way of transition- fining the actor to the stage. ing through the play was to Members of the audience announce each scene. His gasped as he walked off stage announcement did not eject towards a specific lady, claimthe audience from the reality ing her to be Ophelia, Hamhe was creating, but instead let’s lover. The young woman, displayed his talent for con- as well as the rest of the audicision and his smooth way of ence, was at first confused and
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then immediately intrigued. He continued this for the rest of the performance going as far as to accuse Emma White, who sat in the front row, why she would marry his uncle, and not remain a widow. “Breakneck Hamlet” was a deeply compelling, wondrous performance acted by only one man. He created a new love for Hamlet in his audience that night, reminding everyone “there are many more things in heaven and Earth Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
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