Don't Miss "Bat-Hamlet" April 29-30 at The Art Place

The Marietta Master’s Academy of Fine Arts’ Drama Company hits the stage for “Bat-Hamlet” this spring. Whether a Batman, Shakespeare, or just plain theater fan, you’re sure to love this production combining two well-loved classics. See the show April 29-30 at The Art Place on Sandy Plains Rd. in Marietta.

What better way to bring Shakespeare to life than to combine it with a classic DC comic hero? Well, that’s exactly what local playwright Jordan Pulliam thought one day while playing with a Batman figurine. Pulliam said to a friend, “Someone should write a version of Hamlet with all the Batman characters.” Despite his friend’s eye roll, Pulliam did just that when he wrote “Bat-Hamlet” in 2007. 

While perhaps not obvious at first glance, Pulliam easily lists the similarities between Batman and Hamlet: Both lost their parents. Both sought justice in unorthodox ways. Both had alter egos. Both had sidekicks. Both had complicated love lives. Both were betrayed by friends. So Pulliam took the plot line of Hamlet and threw it in the blender with classic Batman figures. The result? Quotes like, “Holy antagonistic anagrams, Bat-Hamlet!” and cliff hangers inquiring, “Could this be the end for our intrepid heroes?” while Songbird Boy, Lord Riddles, O-Feline, Bat-Hamlet-Girl and Green Laertes battle for honor, revenge and power. 

When the King suddenly dies, Hamlet dons the persona, and costume, of Batman vowing to fight the city’s crime wave and avenge the King’s death.  One by one, the traditional Shakespeare characters transform into heroes and villains, with inside jokes for Batman and Hamlet fans alike. But, as any good play must do, this production will entertain goers with humor and fight scenes whether or not they are Brit Lit experts or superhero hype-sters. 

MAFA's last production was James and the Giant Peach


MAFA Drama Company Directors Carolyn Choe and LeeAnna Lambert can’t wait to see the students bring these comical characters to life on the stage. “I thought it would be fun for people of all ages to experience Shakespeare in a different way,” Choe says.  

“It is Hamlet, altered slightly.” Lambert continues, “It gives the students the chance to play with the comedy and creating these very interesting characters, so they really have to work on their vocal choices and their physical choices to make it very interesting for the audience.”

Lambert will be drawing on her experience directing fight scenes for the Georgia Renaissance Festival to teach the students the elements of stage combat. As first year Drama Company actor, Imoen Davanzo, playing Jingle—a Jester henchman, and even the seasoned student actors agree, the fight scenes are the most exciting element of this play. Expect a comic, dramatic, even over-the-top take on fight and death scenes—think 1960s Batman TV series, “Bang!” and “Pow!”. 

Matthew Merkel, playing Puffin, says, “I love acting and love doing it with my friends.” A nine-year MAFA student, Merkel explains that understanding the characters poses a fun challenge in this production.  Ian Coulter, aka the Jester, a student of MAFA for 10 years and in Drama Company for 6 years, is most excited to see the play come to life after reading it in class. “The biggest challenge is working on voice, mannerisms and costumes,” he says. 

The cast, costumes, and script will leave you saying, “Holy two thumbs up, Bat-Hamlet!” 

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE AND TICKETS

Friday, April 29 at 7:00pm
Saturday, April 30 at 3:00pm & 7:00pm

Location: The Art Place, 3330 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta GA

Tickets can be purchased online HERE or at the door. Tickets are $10.
Best for ages 6+

Discount Offer: Come in costume as your favorite superhero for the 7 pm show on April 30 and receiving $3 off admission.