Hamlet
Hosted in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse for the first time!
Hamlet
There is nothing either good nor bad, but thinking makes it so
Act II, scene 2
Hamlet
Hosted in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse for the first time!
Why see Hamlet?
Something is rotten in the state of denmark
The intimate surrounds of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse host The Dane for the first time ever with this candlelit production of Hamlet, presented by Associate Artistic Director Sean Holmes and the fantastic Globe ensemble. Follow the titular Danish Prince as his life descends into a heady tale of grief, betrayal, and bloody revenge.
One of the most quotable plays in English, Hamlet lends itself to great study, with Shakespeare's beautiful language, there is always something new to be discovered in this dark and intricate work.
What is it about?
After learning of his father's death, Prince Hamlet is disgusted to discover his uncle has married his mother and installed himself on the Danish throne. After being visited by the ghost of the old king, Hamlet sets out to regain his rightful place and avenge his father's murder.
Packed full of political intrigue, violence, philosophy, and self-discovery Hamlet is the king of the English language and literary canon as well as showing the full breadth and depth of Shakespeare's genius.
Cast
Michelle Terry as Hamlet
Catrin Aaron as Horatio
James Garnon as Claudius
Colin Hurley as the Ghost
Bettrys Jones as Laertes
Richard Katz as Polonius
Jack Laskey as Fortinbras
Nadia Nadarajah as Guildenstern
Pearce Quigley as Rosencrantz
Shubham Saraf as Ophelia
Helen Schlesinger as Gertrude
Tankia Yearwood as Marcellus
Reviews
Customer reviews
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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