Hamlet

Synopsis

Written between 1599 and 1601. The play, set in Denmark, recounts how Prince Hamlet exacts revenge on his uncle Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet's father, the King, and then taken the throne and married Gertrude, Hamlet's mother. The play vividly charts the course of real and feigned madness - from overwhelming grief to seething rage - and explores themes of treachery, revenge, incest, and moral corruption.

Our Review:

28 April 2004

This is a production that has been much talked about. Not only is it directed by Trevor Nunn but he’s created a buzz by casting two unknowns as Hamlet and Ophelia to emphasise the youthfulness of the protagonists.

Nunn’s attempt to reclaim Hamlet for the more youthful can only be applauded. We’re used to seeing actors in their 30s attempt the role (after all, the text states that Hamlet is 30) but by casting someone so young, we see the play afresh. Hamlet instantly becomes more sympathetic for a start. Whereas before we might have thought ‘what’s that bloke moping about for at his age’, we now have more regard for a Hamlet who has suffered terrible loss at such a young age, trying to cope with emotional upheaval when he’s still learning how to be an adult.

It’s said that there’s a Hamlet for each generation and in Ben Whishaw we have the first grunge Hamlet. We first encounter him dressed in black (of course), wearing a be...

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Latest User Review

USER: Whatsonstage.com (81.134.200.186) - 28 July 2004:

AMAZING! I found myself truely gripped by Ben Whishaw's performance. His talent and style is uniquely fresh and raw. Never before has Hamlet been such an innocent and vulnerable boy. Just stunning....

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