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“Though this be madness, yet there is method,” Polonius (Barney Gadd) speaks to the audience in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. While any staging of Hamlet by default has some degree of madness, Just Friends Theatre Collective’s Production, directed by Aisling Smith, tackles this massive Shakespearean work, madness and all, with creativity and innovation.

Among the most interesting of these creative attributes is the use of space itself, taking full advantage of the winding levels towering above the stage in the stunning Boys School Theatre. Matched with Paraic McLean’s lighting, the venue is also a perfect one for the Ghost of Hamlet Senior (Mark Coney) to appear and vanish as he pleases.

Of course, the performance is really about Hamlet junior, and Rory Doherty’s refreshing depiction is excellently played with well-placed intuition and humor. The lovely Rachel Roche is a standout as well in her compelling portrayal of Ophelia, the Danish Prince’s unfortunate object of affection. Other notable performances include the aforementioned Gadd, Colm Kenny-Vaughan as Horatio, and Ellen-Jane Kruger in all four of her brief roles.

Set in a non-specified decade of the late twentieth century, this production of Hamlet is easy to follow and avoids some of the pitfalls that often arise with Shakespearean drama, making it a good place to start if you’re new to his plays. And Shakespeare veterans, while perhaps familiar with bigger-budget productions, will no doubt enjoy watching the fresh and undeniable young talent take on The Bard and his mad Dane.

Hamlet runs at Smock Alley Theatre until December 13.