'I Hate Hamlet' debuts

John Barrymore is often remembered not only as being one of the greatest actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood, but also as one of the most tragic. His career started with such classics as Grand Hotel, Dinner at Eight, and the silent version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. However towards the end of his life, the films he starred in floundered in quality and his career began to unravel. He died at the age of sixty leaving behind one fascinating piece of unfinished business. \nIn 1933 he filmed a test reel for a possible production of Hamlet starring himself in the title role. The scene in question was Act I, scene 5 of the play where the brooding Dane encounters a Ghost that claims to be his dead father. The scene was the only one ever filmed, leaving the project unfinished. Is it possible that, like Hamlet's father, John Barrymore could return from the grave to right that wrong?\nThe answer to this question lies in Paul Rudnick's comedic fantasy opening this weekend at the Brown County Playhouse. Rudnick tells the story of what happens when a young television actor named Andrew Rally living in Barrymore's old flat, gets cast as the lead in a production of Hamlet in the park being done in New York City. To any actor worth his snot this would seem like the dream role, but not for Rally who, as the title suggests, hates Hamlet.\nMartha Jacobs, who plays Lillian, said, the young actor's land lady who inadvertently conjures up the ghost of Barrymore, the show will be entertaining for those who know about the theater and those who do not. \n"It's a funny play that does have a heart. It's written with a great deal of humor, but also with affection for actors and acting." she said. "The characters are all theatrical types, larger than life. But there's a goodness in each of them that keeps them from being too-much-to-take."\nJacobs said she has no hard feelings for Shakespeare and in fact enjoys any opportunity she has to act out his plays.\n"I wish I had the opportunity to do more Shakespeare. Most actors feel as I do because Shakespeare is the ultimate test of an actor. He demands every skill and resource an actor has."\nSo what is the problem with Mr. Rally? Mark Bertram, the actor playing the role, said that its not that his character hates Hamlet, he simply fears playing the part. In fact Bertram himself would never want to take on the role. \nSo a play that on first appearance seems to loathe Shakespeare, in the end becomes about learning to face the bard head on. Young Andrew could be seen as the antithesis of his role. Hamlet's outlook on life at the opening of his play is dark. Then with the appearance of a ghost, he sinks deeper into the tragedy that awaits him. The hero of "I Hate Hamlet," has a more pleasant experience with his guide from the spirit world. \n"The show is basically about a guy facing his fears. In this case it is Hamlet," said Bertram.