Hamlet Review from 09/08/08

[riversabine]

I have been to many plays especially since my semester in London in 2003. But I don’t think I have ever gone to one in greater anticipation than this. Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre with David Tennant. I was so excited. I remember sitting in the theatre as the lights went down and feeling the thrill of anticipation fall over me. The

Comments

[editrx]

Thank you for such a full review of the play -- I've been waiting for someone to do an in-depth review like this. I have a background in theater (and film) before I went into publishing, and I love watching Shakespeare live ... and am dearly sorry I won't be able to see Hamlet in the UK.

Again, thank you so much for posting. It sounds like an incredible performance. (And thank you for details such as cuts that were made in the script, as well as directorial, interpretive, and costuming decisions that sound like the RSC is up to its usual high standards -- I love seeing their productions!)

[riversabine]

You're very welcome! Thanks for reading! It felt like I was writing a ten page paper, which I haven't done in a very long time;) I'm so glad you enjoyed reading it:)

It really was unbelievably well done! I hope they end up releasing this on DVD... it really is worth preserving. I love seeing Shakespeare performed too and this is definitely the best I've ever seen. I'd only been to the RSC once before and it was for Richard III, which wasn't nearly as engaging, but then I'm not as into the histories... lol, I suppose that's an entirely different discussion;)

[editrx]

The two RSC productions I've seen that stick in my mind were As You Like It from 1983 (I'm dating myself, I know) when I was over to London during college. It was done in Regent's Park's Open Air Theatre, which is informal and quite fun -- kids were there with parents, etc.; quite the relaxed and homey atmosphere. It was one of the best productions of that play I've seen to date: it's one of the "problem plays," and the way the dialogue was presented made it far more accessible, in my book, than the usual production I've seen, and much more clear for people unfamiliar with Shakespeare. Loved it.

The other was from, I think, about 1989 or 1990 (can't remember): The Revenger's Tragedy, which while it isn't Shakespeare is from that period and was marvelous. I love that play anyway. Saw it in Stratford at the Courtyard Theatre. Incredible production, great costuming, and overall stupendous. If you ever get a chance to see the RSC do it, jump at the opportunity. I'll bet any production they do of it will be great.

[riversabine]

That's really cool! I saw Two Gentlemen of Verona in Regent's Park... I don't know if it was RSC, but it was fabulous. I've never read or seen As You Like It, but like any Shakespeare, I plan on it;) That's especially great that they consciously tried to make it easy to understand for those unfamiliar.

I'll definitely keep my eyes open for the Revenger's Tragedy. I pretty much wish I could whisk myself over the pond for all RSC productions... I fell in love with theatre during my semester in London. I think I saw something like 30 plays, between going with my Modern British Drama and Shakespeare's Comedies and Histories classes and tagging along with my flatmate, who was a theatre major. Oh, I miss it! :)

[riversabine]

I know, right? He was absolutely brilliant!

Thank you:)

[rainyseason]

That's so awesome. I'm glad you had this experience.

[riversabine]

Thanks, sweetie! It was unbelievable... I beam with happiness just thinking about it;)