Fringe Show Reviews

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

The Secret Love Life of Ophelia

Written by: Steven Berkoff

Presented by: Theatre ABC / Vancouver, BC

$content.venue

Our Rating: Your Average Rating:

07/15/2009 4:35 PM | Comments: 0

British playwright Steven Berkoff speculates that Hamlet’s cavalier treatment of the smitten Ophelia was really a ruse to cloak their torrid affair. In his 2001 two-hander, The Secret Life of Ophelia, the pair exchange steamy love letters in which they express their erotic and frustrated passion.

“You’re a pipe I’d love to play,” Ophelia writes ardently. The title character is performed by Vancouver’s Alicia Novak, whose real-life lover, Darren Boquist, plays the Prince of Denmark. Both are very capable in this text-heavy drama which drags occasionally.

Director Jeremy Waller deserves kudos for creating some visual stimulus. He has his cast wheel around spotlights to tighten the focus on the lovers and creates a cool moment in which Ophelia appears to be dragging Hamlet around the stage on an invisible string.

(Review by Kevin Prokosh based on Montreal performance)

From the official Fringe program:

Sex, lust, love, politics, scandals, murder, deceit, betrayal and devotion are a few of the many layers depicted in Steven Berkoff’s award-winning script. Revealing new insights into Ophelia and Hamlet’s relationship from courtship to ultimate tragedy.

Innovative director Jeremy Waller perfectly casts on- and off-stage lovers Alicia Novak and Darren Boquist in this beautifully poetic and visually spectacular piece of theatre.

www.TheatreABC.com

Warnings: Subject Matter,
RECOMMENDED: Mature Audience

60 min.

Venue#4 Onstage at the Playhouse 180 Market Ave (Entrance on John Hirsch Pl)

Tickets: $9
Under 10 not admitted.

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Fringe Show Reviews

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

Have Your Say

Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?

Have Your Say

Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.