Reader Reviews
Hamlet (Novello Theatre (formerly the Strand), West End)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Earlier in the week I 'reviewed' Twelfth Night and, as much as I liked it, considered it 'another' Twelfth Night. Well this certainly isn't 'another' Hamlet. Greg Doran's fresh production makes you look at the play anew and David Tennant's interpretaion is like no other. I still think it's an irritatingly overblown play and I can't say I found all of Tennant's playfullness worked, but it's a fresh perspective and I for one was delighted to be in a very different audience rather then the 'usual suspects' at Twelfth Night. - Gareth James | 12 Jan 09 |
| This is a first rate production of Hamlet, undoubtedly one of the finest i have seen. Tennant is captavating in the lead role, wildly funny, quick witted and deeply moving.I rate him very highly and he has undoubtedly proved himself a fine classical actor. This is by no means a one man show though. Patrick Stewart is a magnificent Claudius in a performance which ranks up there with the very best interpretations of the role. He is so subtley convincing that you almost forget he's the villain. Oliver Ford Davies is hilarious as the prattling old fool Polonious whilst Penny Downie is a moving and beautifully spoken Gertrude. As Ophelia Mariah Gale has a potent sense of danger about her and delivers a beautifully poignant mad scene, one of the higlights of the night. not everything is perfect - Some of Doran's cuts border on ridiculous (No explanation of how Hamlet came back from England) however overall this is a beautifully spoken and powerful piece of theatre which should not be missed. - Tom | 06 Jan 09 |
| Edward Bennett gave a hugely admirable performance as Hamlet on Friday night, which was rewarded by a standing ovation from many audience members. He should feel very proud of what he has achieved. Sterling performances, too, from Oliver Ford Davies (who is perfectly cast as Polonius - and is a scene-stealer), Patrick Stuart and Penny Downie. Now then, the decision to place the interval right at the "now might I do it, pat" speech was interesting and I'm not sure it worked particularly well - but I believe the Banquet/Banquo's Ghost scene was similarly interrupted during Stewart's 'Macbeth' in the West End last year. Yes, it's a long show - you sit down in those cramped Edwardian seats at 7.15pm and get up at 10.50pm - and some things aren't explained, including Hamlet's escape from England. Half of Friday night's audience would not have been missed (by me and many of the so-far uninfected other half) if they had stayed at home: their persistent coughing was absolutely dreadful and made it hard to hear some of the dialogue. Was Edward Bennett's singular 'cough' during a scene slightly tongue-in-cheek and a nod to the noise in the auditorium, I wonder? STOP PRESS: David Tennant returned to the production on Saturday night (3rd). - Andrew B | 04 Jan 09 |
| I was lucky enough to see this production in Stratford so have seen it with David Tennant. Seeing it in London, this time with Edward Bennett as the lead I can't help but compare performances which is unfair. Bennett gives an admirable performance as the Dane. He can't replicate the comedy which Tennant brings to the role but brings a more serious edge which is not out of place. I was with others who had not seen Tennant and liked Bennett's performance very much. The bedroom scene between Hamlet and Gertrude for me worked better this time, a greater sense of tender affection between the characters. The ensemble acting again is strong with Oliver Ford Davies, Patrick Stewart et al delivering fine performances. I felt the production didn't wholly suit the Novello stage when compared to the thrust Courtyard to which it is much more suited, but an enjoyable evening none the less. - Paul Wallis | 03 Jan 09 |
| This was my second Hamlet and my second understudy (after Ed Stoppard took a day off). Edward Bennett resembles Harold from ER and can't totally lose his geekiness for a sense of royalty, but this is a very creditable performance and it is clear he has had time to grow into the part. Patrick Stewart is unusually subdued as Claudius, perhaps aware that his is a supporting role, but Penny Downie is an excellent Gertrude, particularly during an electrifying closet scene, which also sees Bennett's best moments. Oliver Ford Davies fully grabs the opportunity to exploit all the humour from his brilliant Polonius. I'm not familiar enough with the text to spot many cuts, but the almost total absence of Fortinbras contributes to a slightly anticlimactic closing scene and I'm sure I missed some of Hamlet's ill-treatment of Ophelia (a marvellously deranged Mariah Gale). Greg Doran can always be relied on for an interesting and entertaining production but I am really looking forward to Michael Grandage's version at the Wyndham's - I just hope Jude Law turns up. - David Baxter | 01 Jan 09 |
| Who knew Hamlet was an ensemble piece? The understudy's involvement, means that unlike a star performer's interpretation, the audience are not just waiting for Hamlet to come back on. Penny Downie is a wonderful Gertrude and Oliver Ford Davies' Polonius is so wonderfully irritating that I'd have shot him too... - dgr1 | 23 Dec 08 |
| Good grief, what's all the fuss about? This is a really mediocre production in a deadly dull setting, with surprisingly bad performances from a bunch of vying egos, all reading off different pages. Patrick Stewart goes for weird attention seeking while O.F.Davies does 'mellifluous' with a vengeance, and the women drop the poetry for a 'modern' approach. Some of the smaller roles are quite simply badly acted. I have never been bored at Hamlet before and the only saving grace was Edward Bennett's brave performance. Wake up Doran, the faults all lie with your lazy direction. - joesmith | 22 Dec 08 |
| I had seen this at Stratford too and much as I had wanted to see David Tennant again, I'm so pleased to have had the chance to see Edward Bennett in the role. I just wish I could see them both again.... - Sarah | 19 Dec 08 |
| I saw Hamlet in Stratford and thought the three and a half hours went by in a blink of an eye. The whole audience was captured in the palm of the play. ALL the actors & actresses where fantastic. First rate. Would like to see it with Ed Bennett in the title role too. xx - Sue C. | 16 Dec 08 |
| This production was totally brillant. I had an amazing time. David was amazing, he is such a talented actor and he did a mesmerising Hamlet. The rest of the cast were great too. - Yael Avivi | 15 Dec 08 |
| it was ok, not brill as many critics would have you beleive, too long and in places dull, Stewart brill as was downie. - johnny | 10 Dec 08 |
