Just in time for the Halloween season, Hudson Shakespeare Company brings to life a lesser known (although no less enjoyable) Elizabethan drama called The Spanish Tragedy. The show is being directed by Noelle Fair with Fight Direction by Conor Mullen, Callan Suozzi-Rearic, and Madeleine Emerick and featuring Evan Brodsky, Jon Ciccarelli, Brian Heuer, Olivia Lodge, Juan Pablo Mendive, Brett Molik, Jeffrey Robb, and Anne M. Whitaker. Performance run from October 4th through October 25th.
The Spanish Tragedy is an Elizabethan drama written by Thomas Kyd sometime between 1582 and 1592. Later versions of the play have largely included additional scenes and bits of dialogue which have been attributed to William Shakespeare. The Spanish Tragedy was hugely popular in its day and even was responsible for establishing a new type of drama called the revenge tragedy. It’s plot contains several violent murders and includes, as one of its characters, a personification of the spirit of Revenge. The play was often copied or referred to in other works of the time period. Many of its elements are apparent in Shakespeare’s other works such as Hamlet and Titus Andronicus. Many of The Spanish Tragedy elements such as a play within a play to trap a murderer, a ghost intent on vengeance, and a man who goes mad after his son is murdered, appear in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Now in its 27th year, Hudson Shakespeare Company is no stranger when it comes to performing Shakespeare’s lesser known works. In previous years they have performed a companion piece to Midsummer called Two Noble Kinsmen (2007), Shakespeare’s “lost play” Cardenio (2012), a Jacobean tragicomedy called The Arden of Faversham (2014), and a history play called Edward III (2015). These are plays that have been attributed to the collection of works known as the ‘Shakespeare Apocrypha’.
“These are plays that scholars have attributed some part of the play to Shakespeare’s writing.” says director Noelle Fair. “Shakespeare may or may not have contributed to these plays. There’s no way to know for sure. However, scholars can use computer studies called stylometry to find quirks unique to Shakespeare to make a pretty good determination. In this case, it looks like he contributed a few additional scenes after the first original production.”
Scroll down for a look at the basic plot:
UNDERWORLD - Don Andrea (Olivia Lodge), a courtier in the Spanish court, died in war and travels to the underworld in order to be judged. In his previous life he secretly loved the Spanish princess, Bel-Imperia (Brett Molik). However, he was killed by the devious Portuguese prince Balthazar (Juan Pablo Mendive) while fighting in the war. He is brought before the judges in the underworld and before his fate can be determined, he must satisfy his need for revenge. Thus, the spirit of Revenge (Anne M. Whitaker) is summoned to satisfy Andrea’s desire.
SPAIN AND PORTUGAL AT WAR - Spain has won the bitter war between Portugal and Spain. The Portuguese prince Balthazar is taken prisoner by the Spanish prince Lorenzo (Jeffrey Robb) and a young nobleman named Horatio (Evan Brodsky). Both men are rewarded for the capture. However, in order to solidify the peace, Lorenzo hopes to broker a marriage between his sister Bel-Imperia and Balthazar.
A FORBIDDEN LOVE - However, Bell-Imperia has different ideas. In hearing how her love Don Andrea was brutally slain by Balthazar, she vows to spite the prince by loving Horatio. Lorenzo and Balthazar learn of this new love affair and hatch a plan to kill Horatio. In the middle of the night, the two lovers meet up to steal a moment, but are dangerously encountered by Lorenzo, Balthazar and their servants who murder the unsuspecting Horatio. Bell-Imperia is locked away so she cannot tell anyone who killed Horatio.
WHO CALLS HIERONIMO? - Hearing the cries of Horatio and Bell-Imperia, Hieronimo (Jon Ciccarelli) is awakened in the middle of the night to find his son murdered in his garden. Along with his wife Isabella they vow to get revenge for his death. Hieronimo later receives a letter from Bell-Imperia which reveals the murderers names.
Seeing now that Horatio is dispatched, Lorenzo seeks to solidify the marriage between Bell-Imperia and Balthazar. Hieronimo falls deeper into his grief, madness and desire for revenge. Finally, the Viceroy of Portugal arrives in Spain to solemnize the marriage. Now free from her prison, Bell-Imperia confronts Hieronimo about the letter she sent him. Hieronimo takes this as confirmation of who did the deed, and together, they vow to work together to get revenge for Horatio’s death.
Lorenzo returns to ask Hieronimo’s assistance in putting on a play to serve as entertainment for the wedding day between Balthazar and Bell-Imperia. Hieronimo describes the play “Soliman and Perseda” to the nobles and they all agree to take part. Little do they know that this is the event within which Hieronimo and Bell-Imperia plan to get revenge on the two princes.
You’ll have to come see the actual play in order to find out who survives and who dies. We guarantee, you won’t believe the body count in this show.
So why perform these lesser known works? “Because they are fun!” says Fair, “ and they're actually really good plays that we feel audiences should know about. They are just as much fun as Shakespeare’s other macbre plays like Titus Andronicus, Richard III, Macbeth, and Hamlet - all of which have been done before over and over. We’re trying to bring something new to our audiences. I also believe it is just as accessible. The same type of plot elements, character archetypes and character relationships that are familiar from his other plays, audiences will recognize in The Spanish Tragedy.” Such as? “Lovers torn apart, two countries at war, brokering an undesired marriage; ghosts, sword fights, a little light murder, and even some foolish characters too. It’s got a lot to offer in the way of entertainment value. I see why it was so popular back in its day.”
Hudson Shakespeare also likes to bring twists to their shows, often setting them in a different time period. In this case, they’ve chosen to set their version of The Spanish Tragedy as if you’re in a Spanish Gothic/Tim Burton mash-up. “There’s a bit of that Spanish Gothic romanticism as well as Tim Burton fantasy we all love around Halloween time. Combined with this, the music lends itself towards classic horror movie flicks. It’s a real Halloween treat!”
Hudson Shakespeare recommends that The Spanish Tragedy is rated PG-13 for violence performed on stage and may not be appropriate for children under 13.
Admission to all outdoor and indoor shows are free and will be performing at the following locations. Recommended for outdoor showings to bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.
Thursday, October 4th @ 7:00pm
Lambert Tower, Garret Mountain Reservation, Paterson, NJ
Saturday, October 6th @ 2:00pm
Monroe Township Library, 4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe Township, NJ
Tuesday, October 9th @ 7:00pm
Kenilworth Public Library, 546 Boulevard, Kenilworth, NJ
Wednesday, October 10th @ 7:00pm
Rifle Camp Park, 387 Rifle Camp Park Rd, Woodland Park NJ
Thursday, October 11th @ 6:30pm
Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park Avenue, Hoboken, NJ
Sunday October 14th @ 2:00pm
Hamilton Park, Jersey City NJ
Tuesday, October 16th @ 7:00pm
Weehawken Free Public Library, 49 Hauxhurst Avenue, Weehalken, NJ
Wednesday, October 17th @ 7:30pm
Atlantic Street Park, 101 State Street, Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack Performing Arts Center - Rain location
Thursday, October 18th, @ 7:00pm
Nutley Public Library, 93 Booth Drive, Nutley, NJ
Saturday, October 20th @ 2:00pm
The Library of the Chathams, 214 Main Street, Chatham, NJ
Sunday, October 21st @ 2:00pm
Old Bridge Library, 1 Old Bridge Plaza, Old Bridge, NJ
Tuesday, October 23rd @ 7:00pm
Montclair Library, 50 S. Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ
Wednesday October 24th @ 7:00pm
Westfield Memorial Library, 550 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ
Thursday, October 25th @ 7:00pm
South River Library, 55 Appleby Avenue, South River, NJ
