“To be or not to be? That is the question. Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.”
Perhaps Shakespeare’s most well known and widely performed plays, Hamlet has just been reinvigorated in a bold new adaptation by the RSC. From inspired staging to phenomenal acting, this show was certainly a noble performance.
Watching Hamlet performed on a ship was certainly not something I was expecting, let alone prepared to have such a profound impact on the play. The use of the stage was superb, adding an extra layer of tension that only grew as the performance progressed. The rear of the ship would rise and fall with the dramatic climaxes of the play, reflecting the inner turmoil of our tragic protagonist and quite literally keeping the characters on their toes. This became critical at the and of the play as they began to fall down the decking one by one, leaving only Horatio, Hamlet, and his dying uncle on board. Its levelling out at the resolution of left the audience positively speechless, observing the pale and bloody Hamlet descend toward us. This truly was a play performed on waves of emotion.
Luke Thallon produces a spectacular performance of the supposed madman, captivating audiences from his twitches and barks to his comedic side eye, he really made the show. He fully embodied the erratic character and captivated his audience from beginning to end.
I have to say, however, there were moments where Elliot Levey stole the stage as Polonius, bringing a camp humour to the role that breathed air into the dark performance and kept the tragedy ebbing and flowing.
Nia Towle’s Ophelia likewise shone through in her soliloquy, a delightful addition that really added depth to the character. The entire cast was indeed sensational in producing an incredibly well-crafted, dramatic performance.
There were, admittedly, some less fulfilling moments: the infamous line “The lady doth protest too much” stood out, seeming strange within the context of the dancing players who had not spoken, and I felt that Ophelia's flowers seemed rushed and did not live up to the rest of the scenes.
Having said this, the overall performance was unquestionably incredible. The use of time, staging, the set design, and the acting were all astounding. A token of creativity and innovation that really brought Shakespeare to life. You truly were transported, disoriented, and winded by the performance. It was an absolute pleasure to see.
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