Hamlet (Corbin Molina, L) and Laertes (Austin Schwartz, R) are ready to duel as King Claudius (Daniel Graber, back L) and Queen Gertrude (Anna Corbett, back R) look on, in Newman University’s production of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”

Review by Jeff Baker

William Shakespeare’s ancient but still timely “Hamlet” was performed at Newman University on Friday March 7^th, 2025 in a shorter version “designed to tour high schools so that current high school students can see the play come to life before their eyes.” (According to program notes by Director Mark Mannette.) The condensed version has lost none of its power to entertain and captivate the audience.

With painted castle backdrops, black curtains a raised platform and movable crates the production conveyed the play’s famous locations, including Elsinore Castle and a graveyard. Well done lighting and offstage sounds brought the audience to the Denmark of a bygone century. Doing it in modern dress worked in the play’s favor; the suits and ties worn by (among others) Polonius and King Claudius gave the royal family the feel of a family of mobsters. Hamlet wore leather vests, jackets and gloves which somehow accentuated his youth and the violent times in which he lived while Laertes upon returning from his travels was in a brown leather jacket and fedora that smacked of Indiana Jones but somehow seemed perfect!

In a cast full of standouts, many of them doubling (or tripling) up in roles, mention must be made of Daniel Cubias’ mobsterish Polonius and his scene stealing turn as the Grave Digger; Steven Brown’s fine and supportive turn as Hamlet’s best buddy Horatio. Anna Corbett as Queen Gertrude and Austin Schwartz as Laertes.

Abi Oberly’s Ophelia came off as tragically mad as she sang her lines while handing out rosemary for remembrance and Daniel Graber’s King Claudius had a nasty leer which seemed to say “Ha-Ha! They don’t know I poisoned my brother the King!”

Corbin Molina’s Hamlet bounded and stalked through the role as the now-obssessed young Prince who must come to grips not only with his father’s recent death and his uncle’s marrying his mother but with the charge by his father’s ghost to avenge his death at the hands of King Claudius. Molina conveyed the Prince’s inner agony and conflict without any hand wringing.

And in a very fitting touch, the ghost (Luke Jones) is made up with his beard to resemble Molina’s Hamlet.

Staging was not just actors standing around saying “To be or not to be,” there is a convincing near-brawl where Hamlet and Laertes must be physically restrained and the climactic swordfight, (very close to the audience!) which does not go well for any of the characters.

All in all, a marvelous evening of live theater from a Newman University Drama Department that is still thriving.

“Good night, Sweet Prince…”

Further productions of Hamlet at the Jabara Flexible Theater, Newman University, 3100 N. McCormick, Wichita will be March 8^th at 7:30pm and April 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th also at 7:30pm.

Program art by Luke Jones