Giving the gift of theatre

In keeping with all things Bard, Langley's Darcy J. Knopp has penned a play that will bring some of the favourite Shakespearean character back to the stage in Langley during late January and early February. "Rotten in the State of Denmark" was written and is being directed by Knopp, an actor, director, and playwright with a long history on and off the community theatre stages of Langley.

“Hamlet is the best play ever written? Really? Even I could do better, and I’m an amateur hack!” joked Knopp. "Not the most humble musing ever attributed to me, but what started out as a less than half-witted boast has evolved into the most rewarding experience in my career to date," he shared, announcing that his play will be presented by Bard in the Valley early in the new year in Fort Langley. Knopp admits to never liking Hamlet.



"It bugged me that Claude was a bad dude for the sake of being a bad dude. I found it hard to believe that Gertrude was so oblivious to what was going on. I hated that Horatio is present for the entire play yet has very little at stake.

I never understood why Hamlet thought feigning madness was the best way to do his detective work. And is Ophelia’s sole purpose in the play to provide someone for Hamlet to yell at?" Taking many of these characters into consideration, he began pondering a different reality in the world of all things Hamlet. "What if Claude was a better king, than Hamlet’s father?" he pondered.

"What if Claude and Gertrude were actually in love and a better match? What if Horatio had his own agenda? What if Hamlet is brilliant, but damaged by addiction? What if Ophelia was something other than a pure victim?" He started answering these questions and suddenly, as Knopp tells it, "the greatest play (arguably) has got my full attention." Okay, there was noting sudden about the creation of Rotten, but rather it was several years in the making. First drafted before the pandemic, Knopp acknowledged the play went through countless revamps and modifications and has been a long time in coming.

Rotten parallels the plot of Hamlet, but in a modern language and modern day context, Knopp explained. He could never hope to match the famous bard’s poetry, but in its place he tried to create characters with "depth, dialogue with teeth, and perhaps a little social commentary that might agitate the minefields of social media." He jokes that this is not a play anyone will be reading in high school.

.. "I wish to welcome you to our tragic roller coaster.

.. I hope you feel the pressure and the gravity the characters feel as we wind you up to the peak.

I hope you sense the perilous teetering of the story as it dangles above the emotional precipice. When the freefall begins, I pray you hang on tight. Safety bars? Nope.

Brakes? Not on this ride. Hell, we might not even be able to keep the train on the track. If you get to the bottom of this dead drop and you’re afraid to open your eyes, I think we will have done our job," said Knopp.

Rotten runs Jan. 22 to Feb. 2 at the Fort Langley Community Hall.

In counting down the days to Christmas, Knopp brings up the impending production and suggests people consider giving the gift of theatre. "We have the best gift of all – live theatre," he said with a smile. "Share in the joy with a friend or loved one, or just treat them, or yourselves, to season tickets.

" In addition to presenting this special new year's show by Knopp, Bard in the Valley Society is also gearing up for its summer outdoor showing of Shakespeare's "The Merry Wives of Windsor." That will run June 26 to 13 at the Township 7 Winery, followed by showing July 17 to 27 on the Spirit Square bandshell at Douglas Park. And new this coming summer, for one-night only, Bard in the Valley is also presenting "Shakespeare Improv," at Township 7 Winery on July 9.

With gift giving in mind, Knopp suggested people can purchase tickets for all three different 2025 performances. Tickets are available for individual shows, or ahead of Christmas Bard has a three-show season ticket available for $70 each. More information and orders possible through the Bard website at .

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