John Barrymore: legend, matinee idol, alcoholic and four-time marriage loser. His Richard III and Hamlet, first seen in New York during the 1919-20 and 1922-23 seasons, stand as high-water marks of 20th century Shakespearean interpretation. Many conventions of modern practice can be traced to Barrymore?ÇÖs performances: he was the first actor to bring the vocal and physical manner of a post-war gentleman to Shakespeare?ÇÖs tragic protagonists and was the first to reinterpret time-honored roles in light of Freudian psychology. Many actors ache to emulate him, or at the very least are inspired by him.

In ?Ç£I Hate Hamlet,?Ç¥ currently at the Players?ÇÖ Ring, young television idol Andrew Rally (Rob James) has just bought Barrymore?ÇÖs old apartment. His agent (Constance Whitman) has scored him a major coup: the role of Hamlet in Shakespeare in the Park?ÇÖs summer production. He?ÇÖs not so sure; his 29-year-old virginal ?Ç£not till we?ÇÖre married?Ç¥ girlfriend Diedre (Ashley Love) is all for it, but his buddy Gary (Rob Scullin) would rather they make a bundle of cash with his can?ÇÖt-miss idea for a TV show: sensitive teacher with superpowers at an inner city school. As he struggles with these dreams and decisions, his real estate agent (Nicole McMillan) offers to bridge the gap between Barrymore (Tim Robinson) and Andrew by staging a s??ance. But it?ÇÖs not the s??ance that calls Barrymore back from the grave, it?ÇÖs Andrew?ÇÖs desperate wish for help?Çöwith Hamlet and Andrew?ÇÖs nonexistent sex life. Barrymore makes his grand appearance, and Andrew?ÇÖs life changes irrefutably and forever.

There is some very witty dialogue, but the script by Paul Rudnick fails to live up to the promise of its clever concept. Several scenes simply feel empty, the plot twist at the end can be seen coming a mile away, and storylines are just left hanging (for example, Andrew is terribly worried about his agent?ÇÖs hacking cough; it?ÇÖs never explained whether she has emphysema or lung cancer or simply a smoker?ÇÖs cough).

Into this, director Todd Hunter has led a masterful bunch of actors. Rob James (who doubles as the sword master) truly embodies young Andrew. Rob Scullin is reminiscent of a young James Belushi?Çöevery breath he exhales is funny. Constance Whitman is deliciously harsh and hardened as the talent agent who may have had an affair with the dead Barrymore in Andrew?ÇÖs very apartment. Ashley Love shows off her comedic skills as the Super Virgin, and Nicole McMillan?ÇÖs New York accent, attitude and costumes are a riot, giving the piece a real NYC flavor. Last but certainly not least is Tim Robinson, a thundering powerhouse as Barrymore. His comedic timing and delivery have never been sharper, and he even looks good in tights.

The result is six exceptionally strong performances, but Hunter fails to bring them together to create one solid story. There?ÇÖs an energy, a spark, missing that make certain scenes seem tedious. Also, once we realize where the play is going, the tension needed to maintain our attention just fades away.

Set changes are quick and easy, and the show runs so smoothly we can immediately recognize the work of stage manager Gina Bowker. The set, by Two Guys and a Hammer construction company, is charming and perfect. Costumes by Barbara Newton are equally appropriate and compelling.

?Ç£I Hate Hamlet?Ç¥ runs through April 10 at the Players?ÇÖ Ring, 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, or $8 for students and seniors. For reservations, call 603-436-8123.