8th September 2008, The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford
Cast
Hamlet … David Tennant
Claudius/The Ghost … Patrick Stewart
Gertrude … Penny Downie
Polonius … Oliver Ford-Davies
Laertes … Edward Bennett
Ophelia … Mariah Gale
Reynaldo/Dumbshow Poisoner … David Ajala
Horatio … Peter De Jersey
Rosencrantz … Sam Alexander
Guildenstern … Tom Davey
Marcellus … Keith Osborn
Barnardo … Ewen Cummins
Francisco … Robert Curtis
Player King … John Woodvine
Player Queen … Ryan Gage
Lucianus … Ricky Champ
Prologue … Roderick Smith
Dumbshow King … Samuel Dutton
Dumbshow Queen … Jim Hooper
It was clear from the moment this production was announced that this was going to be a star vehicle. And this production of Hamlet boasted not just one star, but two, and they were no doubt the reason we had to buy tickets almost a full year in advance. And was it worth it? Well...
David Tennant was quite the revelation in the central role, harnesssing the manic energy from Doctor Who to create a Hamlet who convincing both in his brooding over his father's death and his feigned insanity upon the Ghost's revelation, cackling with delight as he led away, tied to a revolving chair. The second 'star', Patrick Stewart, is far more subtle. His villainy, unlike most Shakesperian antagonists, is not evident until right near the close, the jovial uncle persona remaining a convincing mask throughout. Also effective were Oliver Ford-Davies as the bumbling Polonius, Penny Downie as the Queen, and Mariah Gale, surely a rising star as the tragic Ophelia, whose love for Hamlet drives her to suicide. The decision as to where to place the act break was also handled well, a cliff-hanger arising as the first half ends mid soliloquy, Hamlet's dagger poised to stab his praying uncle. The dramatic murder of Polonius is also particularly well handled, Hamlet firing off stage shattering the glass to reveal the eavesdropping old man.
While this production does draw in viewers because of its two stars, they are by no means it's only merits, and so I left Hamlet having thoroughly enjoyed the experience, the Bard's longest play seeming to go by in minutes.
It was clear from the moment this production was announced that this was going to be a star vehicle. And this production of Hamlet boasted not just one star, but two, and they were no doubt the reason we had to buy tickets almost a full year in advance. And was it worth it? Well...
David Tennant was quite the revelation in the central role, harnesssing the manic energy from Doctor Who to create a Hamlet who convincing both in his brooding over his father's death and his feigned insanity upon the Ghost's revelation, cackling with delight as he led away, tied to a revolving chair. The second 'star', Patrick Stewart, is far more subtle. His villainy, unlike most Shakesperian antagonists, is not evident until right near the close, the jovial uncle persona remaining a convincing mask throughout. Also effective were Oliver Ford-Davies as the bumbling Polonius, Penny Downie as the Queen, and Mariah Gale, surely a rising star as the tragic Ophelia, whose love for Hamlet drives her to suicide. The decision as to where to place the act break was also handled well, a cliff-hanger arising as the first half ends mid soliloquy, Hamlet's dagger poised to stab his praying uncle. The dramatic murder of Polonius is also particularly well handled, Hamlet firing off stage shattering the glass to reveal the eavesdropping old man.
While this production does draw in viewers because of its two stars, they are by no means it's only merits, and so I left Hamlet having thoroughly enjoyed the experience, the Bard's longest play seeming to go by in minutes.
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