Ben Carlson has been called "an actor who thinks on his feet" and whose emotion is believable because "he's prepared to go the limit and beyond." In the midst of his busy production schedule I took the opportunity, to learn a little about the man behind this years' Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Hamlet.

Wrote By: Ashley Hunking (Vancouver Correspondent - Canada)

June 2008 

Ben Carlson has been called "an actor who thinks on his feet" and whose emotion is believable because "he's prepared to go the limit and beyond." In the midst of his busy production schedule I took the opportunity, to learn a little about the man behind this years' Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Hamlet.; running from April 23^rd until October 26^th. 

If you told Ben, pre-university, acting would be his lifelong vocation, he would not have believed you. At McGill University, Ben played the upright bass and studied classical jazz fully intent on a future in music. However, in his second year of university, Carlson chose to leave classical jazz for the study of acting. When I asked him how he reached this decision he said, "I wanted to speak the words of William Shakespeare." Carlson's professional and personal journey to acting is an admirable one to any person who appreciates the courage required to reorient a heartfelt career choice.

Quickly into our conversation, it was evident to me that Carlson's passion for acting goes beyond an attraction to the stage but is also the opportunity to explore astounding literature. Hamlet's prolific subject matter explores themes of identity, self, existence and sanity. Carlson comments that Hamlet is a universal text. He notes, "We are all Hamlet...Hamlet's dilemma is an existential one." Carlson couldn't be more right; what does it mean to be human? People throughout history have been concerned with questions of origins and ends. In fact, Hamlet's famous monologue asks the question, "To be, or not to be?" In this speech Hamlet contemplates suicide. Such finality plunges us into our deepest questions about our mortality.

Carlson's acquaintance with Hamlet predates his current effort and suggests the quality of his work at Stratford. In 2007 he first took on the Bard's crowing achievement at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and received the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actor. I asked him how he avoids transplanting the Chicago performance to Stratford? He told me that the rehearsal process was very different in the two productions of Hamlet. In Chicago, he had to throw himself into the role, whereas at Stratford he could focus on rehearsing with other cast members. With each cast it is a different performance. Carlson says, "The most challenging aspect of playing Hamlet is that it is the most celebrated role in history." I imagine it would be a daunting challenge to face an audience's pre-conception of Hamlet, especially when the likes of Adrian Noble is directing you. Noble is known for being the Royal Shakespeare Company of England's Artistic Director from 1991 to 2003, and for directing Kenneth Branagh in his prep-eminent performance of Hamlet onstage in 1992. 

Ben made the comment that critics tend to focus on Hamlet's relationship with his mother, however, Ben sees Hamlet's relationship with his father as equally important. What was Hamlet's relationship with his father? Were they close? What was Hamlet's obligation to his father's ghost based on? As Carlson said, "Hamlet probably didn't get to see his father all that much. His father was a War King." What was this passion for revenge that emerges? Hamlet was torn by a figure that appeared to be his father but was not. In depicting this father/son relationship one has to ask the question, is Hamlet's largeness of soul captured simply by the psychology of family relationships? 

Both of Ben's parents are working actors and supportive of him (Ben's own father played Hamlet before Ben was born). Watching his parent's make a living out of acting had a positive affect on Ben's work ethic as an actor. When I asked him if he is interested in acting in film he said he is and has done film, however, as long as he has regular employment in theatre he is happy. As of June 19^th this happy thespian, in addition to Hamlet, will be playing the First Lord Dumaine in Alls WellThat Ends Well.

Carlson's advice to young actors...  

I couldn't resist getting some noteworthy advice for aspiring actors from the sole actor who garnered the most coveted stage role in this season of Canadian theatre. Ben says, "Keep it broad...go to the theatre...accumulate as much information as you can." He also said, as a young actor, don't read too much about technique until you have more experience. If you like to read he recommends Letters From An Actor by William Redfield, Sanford Meisner's literature and of course The Complete works of William Shakespeare!

I asked Carlson if he gets nervous before a performance. He replied, "An actor would be lying if he didn't. Something would be wrong if you didn't get nervous." There is something reassuring when a talented professional like Carlson admits he still gets anxious. This gives actors who suffer from "deer in headlights syndrome" a chance. His courage is inspirational. As our conversation came to an end, the final advice he gives for aspiring actors is, "Keep the faith." Wise words indeed.

THEATRE REVIEW OF HAMLET