Hamlet

Hamlet at Trafalgar Studios 2

Why see Hamlet?

An exciting modern version of Hamlet

A dynamic new staging of Shakespeare's Hamlet arrives this December at London's Trafalgar Studios, following a successful European tour. Set in the modern age, this new production by Flute Theatre and English Touring Theatre is helmed by Kelly Hunter and stars Mark Arends in the lead role, exploring how mental health issues can have a devastating effect on a whole family. An excellent way to experience Shakespeare for the first time, this new 90-minute version of the classic tragedy throws new light onto mental illness and the concept of grieving.

Hamlet is holed up in his bedroom alone, mulling over the death of his father and is tortured by an unknown presence, presumably his ghost. As the rest of his family wander aimlessly in and out of the living room, the sole piece of furniture is a sofa, where each of the six characters sit and deliver their heartfelt soliloquys, and demonstrates how mental problems can spread like a poison throughout their household. An important new work casting new light onto Shakespeare.

Key Information

Audience

Suitable for ages 13+

Run Time

90 minutes with no interval

Dates

Finished 31 Dec 2016

Cast

Mark Arends as Hamlet
Finlay Cormack as Laertes
David Fielder as Polonius/ Gravedigger
Tom Mannion as Claudius
Katy Stevens as Gertrude
Francesca Zoutewelle as Ophelia

Creative

Directed by Kelly Hunter
Designed by Anthony Lamble
With lighting by Tim Bray

Reviews

Customer reviews

1 reviews, average rating: (5.0 Stars)

KPC

Amazing and intense compression

A taut, tense and engrossing production with outstanding performances from all of the six cast members. Mark Arends is captivating as Hamlet and plays the role eloquently, finding new meaning and emphasis in the lines . This is high energy, high emotion, physical expressionist theatre of a high order. The intensity always threatens to snap, but it is cleverly paced and contained. There are some unexpected twists, eg , Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are subsumed into Laertes, and the 'play within the play', is given a completely new life.In the intimate space of Trafalgar Studio 2 the audience is pulled into this storm twister of grief, poisoned loves, blood and psychosis. High risk, high octane theatre at its incendiary best, this is Hamlet stripped bare to its internal core. Serious business. ... Read more

Anonymous

Under-powered cast put pressure on His Cumberbatchness

It is disconcerting seeing a Shakespearean drama in the Barbican, where, after all the 'no phones/photos' announcements and signs go out, a high-tech safety curtain opens to reveal an ernormous stage with a fantastic set, ceiling and all. But I was mystified by the costume choices - somewhere between period/comtemporary/billy-the-butler blue coats and a world war II type warm room chic. Somewhere in there were some great ideas that just got lost. And then there was the man of the moment - excellent all round I would say - but you could feel that he had to player striker, centre half, winger and goalkeeper for the team to keep it all moving. Perhaps it was the cavaernous space on stage or just that all eyes were on Hamlet throughout, but it didn't feel like the rest of the cast stepped up to make this the oustanding performance it deserves to be. Shame. On the plus side the audience were incredibly well behaved - not a phone or camera to be seen! More please! ... Read more

londoner

Pretty good

Some outstanding roles, but Hamlet was a bit too much of a pussy and lacked conviction regarding his treatment of Ophelia. That said, this is a tight production well delivered. ... Read more
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