Cumberbatch Hamlet makes headlines again over 'To be or not to be'

The most famous speech in drama has reportedly been reinstated to its original place in the Barbican's current production of Hamlet starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

Hamlet's existential "To be or not to be" speech, which usually occurs in Act Three of Shakespeare's play, was originally moved to the beginning of director Lyndsey Turner's production, as reported by journalists who attended the first preview performance earlier this month.

Writing for The Times, Kate Maltby branded the decision "indefensible", adding: "'To be or not to be' should be the character's emotional low point: instead, five minutes in, he's got nowhere further to go."

But now, according to reports, the speech has returned to its original position ahead of Hamlet's official press night next week (25 August).

Directors often make big changes during preview periods and as such the reviews of the first preview performance of Hamlet have been widely condemned.

Writing for the Guardian, director John Tiffany said: "It's not unusual for a journalist to completely redraft an article or review, so why should it be strange to do the same to a play? Theatre is a living organism. You only know if your show is working when you see it with an audience."

Hamlet also made headlines earlier this month when its star pleaded with fans to resist the temptation to film his performance on their phones.