Send in the Clowns! Hamlet finished at Shakespeares Globe Theatre on August 26, 2018

Hamlet is now showing at National Theatre, Lyttelton

25 Sep - 22 Nov
More info

Hamlet

Send in the Clowns! Hamlet finished at Shakespeares Globe Theatre on August 26, 2018

Hamlet is now showing at National Theatre, Lyttelton

25 Sep - 22 Nov
More info

Why see Hamlet?

Something Is Rotten In The State Of Denmark

As part of The National Theatre's biggest season yet, Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (The Father and the AssassinLife of Pi) steps into the shoes of the titular Danish Prince as his life descends into a heady tale of grief, betrayal, and bloody revenge in Shakespeare's famous and fearless tragedy.

One of the most quotable plays in English, Hamlet lends itself to great study, with Shakespeare's beautiful language, there is always something new to be discovered in this dark and intricate work.

What Is It About?

After learning of his father's death, Prince Hamlet is disgusted to discover his uncle has married his mother and installed himself on the Danish throne. After being visited by the ghost of the old king, Hamlet sets out to regain his rightful place and avenge his father's murder.

Packed full of political intrigue, violence, philosophy, and self-discovery Hamlet is the king of the English language and literary canon as well as showing the full breadth and depth of Shakespeare's genius.

Cast

  • Hiran Abeysekera as Hamlet

Please note: The producers can't guarantee the appearance of any performers on any specific date.

Creative

  • Directed by Robert Hastie

Reviews

Customer reviews

KPC

Amazing and intense compression

A taut, tense and engrossing production with outstanding performances from all of the six cast members. Mark Arends is captivating as Hamlet and plays the role eloquently, finding new meaning and emphasis in the lines . This is high energy, high emotion, physical expressionist theatre of a high order. The intensity always threatens to snap, but it is cleverly paced and contained. There are some unexpected twists, eg , Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are subsumed into Laertes, and the 'play within the play', is given a completely new life.In the intimate space of Trafalgar Studio 2 the audience is pulled into this storm twister of grief, poisoned loves, blood and psychosis. High risk, high octane theatre at its incendiary best, this is Hamlet stripped bare to its internal core. Serious business. ... Read more

Anonymous

Under-powered cast put pressure on His Cumberbatchness

It is disconcerting seeing a Shakespearean drama in the Barbican, where, after all the 'no phones/photos' announcements and signs go out, a high-tech safety curtain opens to reveal an ernormous stage with a fantastic set, ceiling and all. But I was mystified by the costume choices - somewhere between period/comtemporary/billy-the-butler blue coats and a world war II type warm room chic. Somewhere in there were some great ideas that just got lost. And then there was the man of the moment - excellent all round I would say - but you could feel that he had to player striker, centre half, winger and goalkeeper for the team to keep it all moving. Perhaps it was the cavaernous space on stage or just that all eyes were on Hamlet throughout, but it didn't feel like the rest of the cast stepped up to make this the oustanding performance it deserves to be. Shame. On the plus side the audience were incredibly well behaved - not a phone or camera to be seen! More please! ... Read more

londoner

Pretty good

Some outstanding roles, but Hamlet was a bit too much of a pussy and lacked conviction regarding his treatment of Ophelia. That said, this is a tight production well delivered. ... Read more
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