Hamlet sets the stage for stellar season

A minimalist version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet will launch the 2024 season for Warner’s Outdoor Theatre Community.

Adapted by president Lachlan Boyes, the production has a reduced cast and a more family-friendly script.

“Hamlet’s completely abridged – it only goes for an hour and a half,” Lachlan says.

“It’s still traditional Shakespeare, but the costumes are minimal and the sets are quite minimal.

“A lot of the characters are quite different – in the original, Gertude is more on the side and doesn’t get treated very well – we’ve fleshed her out and she’s a bit more independent and powerful.”

Lachlan joined the Dragonfly Park-based Outdoor Theatre Community last year and is relishing his role as president, saying he’s looking forward to presenting a variety of shows during the year.

Theatre with a difference

“We’ve started with Shakespeare to launch the season and our next production is a cabaret created by two local artists to attract a different crowd – the third show hadn’t been fully locked in yet.”

Lachlan says the outdoor performances give the audience the opportunity to experience theatre in a different way.

“It’s theatre in the round,” he explains.

“We have a mix of people who have acted before and newcomers, as well as people from other theatre companies.”

Outdoor Theatre Community secretary Wendy Prowse says the company, which launched mid-2022, aims to make theatre accessible for everyone.

“It’s a place for people to explore and grow their own creative interests,” Wendy says.

“We have about 20 members and we’re always looking for new people to perform and volunteer.

“We’re also open to exploring opportunities and helping them bring it to life.”

Wendy says the performances attract locals, as well as theatre buffs from further afield.

“We even had some people who saw it on the local Facebook page and were travelling from Sydney to Townsville and stopped in,” she says.

Hamlet runs from April 26-28 and May 3-5. Click here to find tickets and pre-order grazing platters.

Stay in touch with the Outdoor Theatre Company on Facebook for details about how to win a double pass to Hamlet and a grazing platter.