Community theatre groups are often seen as a microcosm of society, the members involved coming from all walks of life and often joining the group for reasons other than to perform on stage. It is this premise the Gavin McGibbon has taken for his latest play Hamlet Dies at the End, currently playing at Bats.

A group of five people have come together for a week with a tutor/director to workshop and rehearse Shakespeare’s Hamlet. All, including the tutor, have ulterior motives for attending, which slowly comes out during the course of play as each tries to find their hidden selves.  Although the tutor tells them “this is art not therapy”, it soon because obvious why each is there.

And while some may consider this stereotypical and demeaning of the countless community theatre groups around the country there is no denying that the fast paced and witty dialogue tinged with elements of pathos is entertaining. While not one of Gavin McGibbon’s better plays it does nevertheless bring some amusing and heartfelt insights into a community of disparate people and the characters will no doubt resonate within many communities, especially the way they have been brought to life by such an experienced and stellar cast. 

Frank Edwards is superb as the 90 year budding thespian Charlie, trying his hand at something new since his wife left him three months ago. Living in a bygone era of the war years, he blissfully tries valiantly to ‘emote’ and bring something to his part when his only reference point is the war. His camel speech is a superb piece of storytelling.  

Heather O’Carroll, as a supposedly typical uptight, mousey librarian looking for her moment of glory on the stage, is all pent up nervous frustration, finally letting lose in a wonderful Shakespearean monologue. 

Bus driver Rhonda, Emma Kinane, has issues at home and sees this workshop as a form of escape reluctantly taking part till she experiences the genuine thrill of what it is to be up on stage performing. 

There has probably never been a better performance of an aging rocker as K C Kelly’s portrayal of Douglas, the 50-something hippy trying to find a place in Hamlet for a drum kit.. 

Nathan Mudge’s Jimmy doesn’t say much but it is obvious a great deal is going on behind the brooding eyes, and his final, aching heartfelt plea for help is the defining moment in the play.

And as the over wrought, slightly effete stereotypical tutor and director Becker, Duncan Smith is a ball of energy as he tries to fire up his motley group of actors, bringing many human touches to what could be a shallow caricature of a character.

Through the work of these actors and the experienced direction of Lyndee-Jane Rutherford the play rises from the mire of mediocrity to be entertaining, if not original. 
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I should probably preface this review by saying that I really enjoy shows about community theatre. Gavin McGibbon’s Hamlet Dies at the End is right up my alley, a light-hearted comedy following a community theatre class staging a production of Hamlet. Ego, passion, tears and trauma abound, as do cheeky observations that will be readily recognisable to any one who has ever been involved in amateur theatre.

The ramshackle cast of eccentrics who form this class of misfits have been drawn to the stage for diverse purposes. Patricia (Heather O’Carroll) is a prima donna wannabe, hungering for an outlet for her ‘talent.’ Jimmy (Nathan Mudge) is a troubled teen who keeps his intense passions tightly under control. Charlie (Frank Edwards) has been spurred to make his acting debut at age 91 having been forsaken by his wife, and Rhonda (Emma Kinane) is a tough-talking bus driver who also has family problems. KC Kelly does a star turn as aging American rock ’n’ roller Douglas who wants to do ‘Hamlet with drums.’

This motley crew are pummelled into performance ready mode by artiste-director Becker (a well pitched performance from Duncan Smith). Each member of this unconventional theatre troupe has their own tragic flaw, to be revealed and then addressed through the therapy of theatre. 

Director Lyndee-Jane Rutherford has gathered together a cast of stars, and under her clear and good-humoured direction they manoeuvre from gag to gag while maintaining a solid sense of the complicated humans that give the play heart. There are plenty of moments familiar to anyone who has made theatre – “we can’t afford scenery!” – and the embarrassing acting exercises are a real pleasure to behold. While I enjoyed this material the most, there are darker moments, and enough in the way emotional storyline to give the play a shape. 

The design evokes the slightly sad and underfunded church or school hall, Brian King’s set comprising a very shallow stage with red velvet curtains and a bunch of stackable chairs, under fluorescent lights that occasionally blink (Marcus McShane). Lyndee-Jane’s sound design comprises all the Hamlet related songs you never knew existed, played over the top of transitions. 

While it is possible there are more laughs in here for those who are familiar with the theatre; the pace, comic timing and characterisation from the actors ensure that there is plenty to enjoy for everyone. A Kiwi Waiting for Guffman without the songs, Hamlet Dies at the End is a warm-hearted comedy with a first-rate cast. A highly enjoyable evening.  
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