Antigonish Theatre’s Newest Scare: Zomblet

On the week of Halloween, the Antigonish Theatre put on a production of Zomblet, a twist on Shakespeare’s classic Hamlet. Written and directed by Dan Bray, the play took a modern spin on the classic, incorporating both iambic-pentameter and 20st century slang. Walking in, I had no idea what to expect, only that the tag line ‘Something is rotting in the State of Denmark’ spoke volumes. On devils’ night, my friend and I watched a production that was entirely unexpected - in the best way. 

The play included both students and local actors alike, as well as a combination of classic and present-day references. But what was more, to the me and the audience’s delight, was that the classic story of Hamlet was loosely followed. Characters were not as Shakespeare wrote them: Ophelia, for example, was strong, standing up for herself and driving the plot instead of being at Hamlet’s whim. In addition, their character dynamics were very different: Horatio and Hamlet were a thing, Claudius was far from the strong brother-killer, and Gertrude more modern in both style and attitude.  

Then of course there was the incorporation of zombies. As the plague hit the castle, characters like the Grave Digger were given far more stage-time, but tensions and alliances continued to be unwoven. By far my favorite part (though as an English major I might be biased) was the incorporation of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe into the plot line. A true literary classic, Zomblet brought more than just zombies to Denmark – it brought devils too. Mephistopheles was one of the best characters. Causing trouble, just as in Dr Faustus, the play came alive with both humor and suspense. Would the characters make it out alive? 

What made this combination of Hamlet, zombies, and to our surprise Doctor Faustus, was that it left the audience on the edge of our seats. Suddenly it was unknown what would happen to the characters. How would it end? Would it follow Shakespeare’s tale? Would it follow Marlowe’s? What would happen was entirely uncertain. This added element made the play far more enjoyable. 

What also added to the enjoyment was the play’s humor. Characters like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern provided laughs that made the play enjoyable for all ages. I briefly talked to Kate Lamot, one of the actors, and she thoroughly enjoyed the making and production of the play. Having her character resemble an almost -frat-like boy was perfect. 

Overall, the play brought new elements to theatre, from old to young, and made it surprising and enjoyable - the perfect play for a Halloween weekend. Next, students can tune into the theatre’s performance of The Miracle on 34th Street for the Holiday season. Supporting local theatre, especially in small towns like Antigonish is crucial in supporting the arts, the student body, and the town itself. Zomblet was a play designed for everyone and brought with it a spooky and memorable night.