Millennial Notes Shakespeare’s Classic Finds Sympathetic Killer & Sadistic Hero by Julian Auston The Stratford Festival of Canada brings us an innovative “Hamlet” that flips the play’s essentials. Claudius, the repentant murderer, evokes our sympathy; while Hamlet, his ambitious heir, startles with his vengefulness, as a slew of courtiers are mangled by their conflict….
Simon Stephens Invokes Delicacy in Harsh Times by Jennifer Ann Charron It’s hard these days not to view everything through the lens of 2020—global warming, worldwide pandemic, systemic racial injustice, millions sick or dead, 100-degree temperatures in Siberia. Everything seems so big, so overwhelming, so “HUGE.” I’ve grown exhausted using words like dystopian, monumental,…
Millennial Notes Vincent Terrell Durham Serves Cocktails & Dash of Guilt by Evelyn Arevalo Vincent Terrell Durham is unapologetic in his portrayal of problematic white saviors. “Polar Bears” explores white guilt, but it’s more than a racially charged play. Durham deep dives into themes of colorism, classism, fetishization, and queerness–displaying American horrors before the…
Millennial Notes Declan Donnellan Invokes Love and Fear in Shakespeare by Julian Auston “The Winter’s Tale” remains my favorite play for its extravagant emotions. Could it be Leontes’ angry misguided jealousy aimed at his friend? Or, the bittersweet ending of his wife’s brief resurrection? Or, maybe it’s the unbridled joy of a random bear…