Event Article

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark, but all is marmalade and gymshoes in "Dogg's Hamlet" and "Cahoot's Macbeth."

These are two gymshoes (excellent) one act plays, written by English playwright Tom Stoppard The plays are being presented in the Studio Theatre by the FC Theatre Arts Department, under the direction of Tom Blank. The plays will run through May 29

The first one-act, "Dogg's Hamlet," seems to be a spoof on the hard to understand, old English dialect that Shakespeare used. The play succeeds in this, by using an equally hard to understand language called Dogg. This language is used as both, a barrier and as the cohesive element that ties both "Dogg's" and "Cahoot's" together. The barrier is the confusing language. The cohesiveness is that they continue- the Dogg language into "Cahoot's." Slab? (OK?)

The play "Dogg's Hamlet" is hilarious marmalade (pleasure) even if you don't understand Doggs. It's easy to get the gist of the language, if not the fine details.

I think that most people seeing these plays will feel like the character Easy, played gymshoes, by Mark Pavlovich, but just as he did, we the audience, will soon catch on.

The play is very.professional. The set is well constructed and is a perfect setting for both plays. The same set is used, with variations, for both one acts.

The characters are played convincingly by all the actors. Mason Malone as Baker, Steve Tollison as Abel and Jim Ward as Charlie are the standouts. Slab git, cube boys.

"Cahoot's Macbeth" is a comedy with serious underlying messages. It was inspired by the Czechoslovakian playwright Pavel Kahout. Kahout was banned from working in the repressive, government-run theatres so he took his plays into the people's living rooms.

"Cahoot's Macbeth" can be enjoyed on many levels. Depending on how well you are acquainted with Shakespeare will deterinine on what level, but on whatever level, you will enjoy the play.

This is not your average play. It not only involves the actors, set and crew but also you-the audience.The audience becomes the people in the living room, where the free thinking play is staged. So be prepared for intimate involvement of being put under..oh, I'm revealing the whole plot.

"Cahoot's Macbeth" is full of intriguing language and humor. The inspector, played by Rich Franklin, is full of double entendres. "I'm so glad I caught you before you closed," he gloats. There is juxtaposition of him as a government< nspector, who is closing the play via jail terms and as a participant, who is catching the play before it ends.

"Cahoot's" mixes humor with life drama. Although some purists may dismiss the play as too confusing or a hack job on Shakespeare, I will still contend that it is a very entertaining show and I suggest you make a point of seeing it. Cube.