One of the most analysed and dissected plays ever written, Hamlet is at it’s most basic a tragic soap opera centred on three sons and a usurper King. Three sons who wanted nothing more than to please their fathers in life, and in death to avenge them. Enter a plot full of murder, love, lies and scheming.
Set in modern day Denmark, Nicholas Hytners touring National Theatre production of Shakespeare’s most celebrated work brings the intrigue and politics of 15th century Denmark seamlessly in to the politics of the 21st century with it’s spin doctors, TV broadcasts, listening devices and modern weaponry.
Where Hamlet would usually open in a throne room we are taken to a modern office, set up for a broadcast to the nation lamenting the death of their King but celebrating the ascension of the new King and his marriage to the Queen. Hamlet sits quietly brooding in the background as wheels start to turn and a tragic chain of evens is set in motion.
It is the young Prince Hamlet (Rory Kinnear) who’s father has died and he is both disturbed and confused by the hasty marriage of his mother to his uncle Claudius – now King of Denmark. Hamlet is roused from his lonely grief by the ghost of his dead father who claims he was murdered by Claudius, revenge is demanded. More thinking man than hothead Hamlet plans to catch out his scheming uncle and avenge his fathers murder.
Son number two is Laertes, good son to the elderly chief minister, who leaves his father in the care of his sister Ophelia (Ruth Negga), whom Hamlet fancies, to take up ambassadorial duties in France. When Hamlet accidentally kills Laertes' ministerial dad Polonius, much to the dismay of Hamlet and Ophelia, a collision course is set for Laertes angry return, a fire knowingly fanned by the new King Claudius.
The third son in the triangle is the young king of Norway Fortinbras, who with soldiers around him dreams of restoring land and honour stolen by Denmark from his father, watching and waiting for an opportunity.
Each of these three young men on a quest for revenge finally come together in the Danish palace. Everyone is out to get someone and the resulting three way crossfire of vengeance deals tragedy to innocent and guilty alike, plot twists and murder stalk the tastefully furnished Danish halls.
This is a lengthy three and a half hour production but with a fine cast, a sparse but effective set and moving incidental music the time passes quickly. It must be hard to play the role of Hamlet with a difference but Rory Kinnear manages to. He is a moody, unhappy and often confused twenty something who is unsure what is the right thing to do. A truly original and moving performance. The very familiar Patrick Malahide plays an emotionless Claudius who is a politician rather than a beloved leader. Two other very notable performances come from Giles Terara and Horatio and Alex Lamipekun as a very energetic Laertes. If you are in any way a fan of Hamlet or any of Shakespeare tragedies this production is for you.
Hamlet plays at Nottingham's Theatre Royal from Monday 15 to Saturday 19 February 2011.
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