103 replies to this topic

[armadillo]

How many WE productions do you have to be in before you'e allowed to play Hamlet? IIRC David Tennant had only been in one before - The Real Inspector Hound/ Black Comedy. Also, is it important that you've been seen before by your audience? Again, I doubt the majority had seen Tennant or Jude Law (had he ever appeared in the WE?)  before.

For those who think these things important, Simm was in a play  at the Bush a few years ago.

[Alexandra]

You're kidding about Tennant, aren't you, armadillo? He'd done plenty of theatre before Hamlet, West End and other mainstream; I'd seen him, at a rough guess, in about 8 plays before Hamlet, and I think there were lots more.

[Lynette]

Loads at RSC Stratford - he done his time.

[armadillo]

I've seen Tennant in loads of things too - however Jan's suggestion seemed to be that there was something special about WE appearances that qualified one to appear...in the WE!

[Lynette]

Am I imagining this or wasn't Tennant in Lobby hero and excellently so, at the theatre opp the Ivy? Not the Mousetrap place, the other one.

[Weez]

Hamlet is one helluva part, but so's Sam Tyler. Imagine playing the lead in a TV show where you have to appear in literally EVERY SINGLE SCENE (and I'm not using "literally" for emphasis either, I mean it in its literal sense). And spend the best part of several weeks crying from morning till night, poor lamb. XD I'm not for one second denying the immensity of the role of Hamlet, but Simm has stamina out the wazoo, plus he's a hugely talented actor. If it turns out that he sucks or can't sustain, I'll be the first to throw my hands up and admit I was wrong. But as things currently stand, this sounds like a great idea and a totally actionable plan to me.

[armadillo]

Am I imagining this or wasn't Tennant in Lobby hero and excellently so, at the theatre opp the Ivy? Not the Mousetrap place, the other one.

Ah yes, I think you're right - it was a transfer from the Donmar (which I never think of as proper WE though I suppose it is)

How much professional stage experience did Ben Whishaw have before his Hamlet that got pretty good reviews IIRC ?(I didn't see it - nobody can see every Hamlet)

[Weez]

http://www.hamiltonhodell.co.uk/page.asp?partid=68

So, like, His Dark Materials. Basically. Didn't he split the role of Hamlet with another fella and only play it part-time?

[Lynette]

Ah yes, I think you're right - it was a transfer from the Donmar (which I never think of as proper WE though I suppose it is)

How much professional stage experience did Ben Whishaw have before his Hamlet that got pretty good reviews IIRC ?(I didn't see it - nobody can see every Hamlet)

Ben Whishaw was good - I did see him  - but it was the novelty of him being so young and the druggie stuff that they had on stage with him that got all the attention. BTW, don't think Lobby Hero was Donmar jobbie, might be wrong and anyway, not important.

They will do a huge number on John Simm so will be interesting to see what angle they do take.

[Jan Brock]

Ben Whishaw was good - I did see him  - but it was the novelty of him being so young and the druggie stuff that they had on stage with him that got all the attention.

Simm will be 40 when he plays it. Too old.