Raoul Bhaneja
Hamlet Solo
January 9-11, 2009
With Raoul Bhaneja. Directed by Robert Ross Parker.
Hamlet (solo) focuses on the three most essential elements of theatre: The Actor, The Text and The Audience. Bhaneja drew inspiration from Robert Lepage’s brilliantly conceived and designed one-man exploration of Hamlet called Elsinore, which he saw both in dress rehearsal in Montreal and at the National Theatre in London. However, Bhaneja’s production in contrast is a simply designed presentation without the aid of costume, set, and lighting changes. It concentrates on the script with Bhaneja playing seventeen parts in a two-hour version based solely on Shakespeare’s text.
In describing Hamlet (solo) , Bhaneja says, “For many of us, our most powerful experience with the play Hamlet occurred on our first reading of it – outside of the theatre – where we, alone, had to conjure up the setting, characters and drama. With this production, the audience is guided through the actual text, almost in the way an ancient storyteller might do, where the actor/storyteller provides an outline or sketch of a character that the viewer extrapolates and builds upon.”
Artists
Raoul Bhaneja (performer) is no stranger to theatre, or Hamlet for that matter. He played Laertes in Neptune Theatre’s staging of the tragedy. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Christopher Plummer Scholarship providing him the rare distinction of performing at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, England as a member of the International Fellowship. Raoul attended the renowned National Theatre School of Canada. Since graduating in 1996, Raoul has worked extensively in theatre, television and film. Apart from his many stage appearances with various theatre groups, Raoul is often recognized for his work on television, most recently as Pete on the Global Television improvised commuter soap opera Train 48 . Other credits on television include the Ken Finkleman series Hotel , Puppets Who Kill , The Eleventh Hour and Open Heart in which he starred opposite Megan Follows. Raoul’s first feature film was the starring role of John The Baptist opposite Mary Walsh and Andy Jones in Extraordinary Visitor . Major motion pictures include Godsend , Ararat and The Sentinel opposite Michael Douglas. Raoul is also the energetic front man of an award-winning jump blues band, Raoul & The Big Time . For further information please visit Raoul’s website at www.raoulbhaneja.com.
Robert Ross Parker (director) is currently based in Toronto and New York City. He directed the hit fringe shows Pseudolus , and A Midsummer Night’s Dream Project . He has assisted with Soulpepper Theatre, New York’s Labyrinth Theatre, and Philadelphia’s People’s Light and Theatre Company. He recently completed his Masters degree in directing from Ohio University. Robert attended Canterbury High School in Otttawa with Raoul, where they were both members of the 1990 National Championship Improv Team BOFA. The honest communication and rapport they have is the result of years of shared experiences. Robert is a fast rising name in the New York Theatre scene both as an actor and director.