THEATER REVIEWS : ‘Fortinbras’ Gets a Wobbly Outing

Sometimes it pays to be a playwright from a country in political turmoil. That’s partly how and why Janusz Glowacki--best known for “Hunting Cockroaches” and whose “Fortinbras Gets Drunk” is currently having its West Coast premiere at the Fountainhead Theatre--first caught on in the United States. But producing a Pole isn’t the novelty it was five years ago. And “Fortinbras Gets Drunk” unfortunately doesn’t stand on merit alone. In fact, it wobbles as much as its titular tanked anti-hero.

Andy Fickman directs the heck out of this part farce, part agitprop script that uses “Hamlet” as a jumping-off point. He pumps lots of life into the predominantly scatological humor, and most of the 12-member cast does his Monty Pythonesque bidding quickly and ably.

As a parody about inept leaders, sloppy coups and government corruption, “Fortinbras Gets Drunk” (1986) is a great excuse to schlep the swords and shields out of the costume trunk. But don’t expect any insights on late 1980s European sea-changes, nor too many chuckles thanks to the script.

*’Fortinbras Gets Drunk,” Fountainhead Theatre, 1110 N. Hudson Ave., Hollywood, Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Ends June 19. $12.50. (213) 466-1767. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes.