Today's play: the Fifteen minute Hamlet.

So I freely admit I chose this play today because I am going upstate climbing and needed a fast play. But I did in fact read it at 5:45 am before heading out. While it would take 15 minutes to perform, I read it in about 7.

My thoughts - I love the fact that Tom Stoppard took this epic tragedy (some would consider it the best English language play ever written) and made it a concise 15 minute farce. I laugh at how curt this play is while still telling the complete story using all the money lines you recognize. It's still the tragedy, for sure, but it comes off as mildly hilarious given the speed. Then just for kickers, Stoppard adds an encore that tells hamlet again, in but two pages. Totally awesome.

While I love this little piece, there are two problems with it - I wonder, that if you don't know hamlet at least a little, how much you will get. Then because it is short by nature (at 15 minutes) is it possible to ever do the play commercially outside a one act festival or interlude before or during a full length? It's great - but it also needs to be done to be "successful" right? But then maybe, it's really just meant to be read. Does that make it a play or a novella by nature?

Final verdict: I love it and now want to read a full length Shakespeare farce.

Tomorrows play: I will decide tonight!

If you would like to make a suggestion of a play to read, leave it in the comments! If you would like to join me in reading, I'd love the company. #PlayADay4May

-Matt

The first play for Play A Day 4 May!
The inspiration for this whole project came about from my friend Alfred telling me in conversation to take a look at Konstantin from the Seagull. I remembered not really connecting with Chekhov in college but figured "Hey, why not?"

Here are my thoughts:
I still don't connect with Chekhov. Hah! So I read this play again, probably 10 years from the time I first read it, and really I just don't love what I see as the "misery" of being Russian that so prevails in most of Chekhov's works. The piece being dated or not is not really material in this instance - The passion that exists in russian plays and musicals really is remarkable, but I just can't stay connected because everyone is so damned miserable all the time. I suppose they would say "such is life". 

All in All, I agree with my friend Alfred - I certainly fit the bill as far as Konstantin's character. I just don't identify with the play.

Tomorrow's Play: The Fifteen Minute Hamlet - Tom Stoppard.

If you want to make suggestions for a play to read, write it in the comments! If you want to join me, I'd love the company. #PlayADay4May

-Matt

I don't read enough plays. So for the Month of May I'm going to Read a Play a Day for May! I will post a brief "review" of the play I read that day, favorite / least favorite tidbits and the like. I'd love for other people to join me in the endeavor! Post suggestions of plays to be read. Post your own reviews. Join me in #PD4M!

-Matt