Short answer: More Worth It than that Fifth Harmony song.
Since I’ve literally never once reviewed a play and actually don’t ever read reviews for plays, I’m going to just attempt, so bear with me (or just stop reading, you know, whatever). The good news is that I’ve seen Hamlet before in more than one rendition and I’ve read [most] of it. (Seriously that play is like 1,000,000 acts long! WTF, William?) So, I do have some comparison and reference. The other good thing is that I don’t actually have any fangirl desires for Benedict Cumberbatch, so this is an unbiased review. I will also warn that I’m assuming you already know what happens in Hamlet, so if you don’t, then don’t yell at me for spoilers. This play is way old and its title is actually The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. By definition of tragedy, people will suffer. Prepare yourself.
First however, you should watch this trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=40&v=SxraXR_tfSA
So, not gonna lie, just watching the trailer having seen it live, I think it might actually translate incredibly well on film… possibly better than in person! I know that sounds wild, but the lighting and such was sometimes difficult from the angle I was at, which wasn’t even a bad angle, just not centered. There is however the situation of shadow and light play that the set is able to do incredibly well because of how it’s angled. I’m not sure how well that will translate to the filmed performance since it seems like it was blocked to be a dynamic experience for people seated in different areas of the audience, and presumably the cameras will be capturing it mostly from only three angles. What I’m trying to say is: some elements will be better on film and some elements will be lost on film.
All of that said, what is the actual play like?
Setting and Tone
Based on the costumes and props, it seemed to be set in the 40s or so. It was really difficult to tell, to be honest. Sometimes Benedict is in really modern looking clothes and sometimes everyone looks like it’s a very much bygone era. That said, it’s definitely in Denmark and Norway is definitely knocking on their doorstep for war. Somehow in all my other experiences with the play, the fact that Norway was legitimately ready to go to war with Denmark was not as apparent as in this version. It actually informs the actions of Hamlet’s mother and uncle in some ways, in that they would reinstate reign so quickly after the death of the king (I mean, ignoring the whole uncle murdering the king part). The only thing I still don’t get is why Hamlet isn’t just crowned after his father dies. Does anyone have historical explanation for this?
The tone of the play is dark. The play of shadow and light is a thread throughout and the scary parts with the ghosts are legitimately scary. I actually jumped in my seat at one point, and I was not the only person to do so. What’s so fun is that Benedict plays up Hamlet with such a clear cut sanity/insanity-as-an-act approach that there’s no moment of confusion for the viewer as to whether or not Hamlet is insane. Well, at least before intermission… After intermission, I’m not even going to spoil that.
I’ll also point out the textures of the set are very specific and really help set the tone of the play throughout. It was a joy to be there and have the feeling of it right in front of me. I do think that element will transfer to film though. Yes this is the king from above the wall playing Hamlet’s uncle:
Gertrude and Ophelia: Show Stealers
I want to note this because it was my biggest take away from the production. The female roles in Hamlet are done so incredibly well and so different from what I’d seen before that I actually felt like I was watching a new play, a new story being told. I didn’t cry at the end, you know, when everyone dies, I actually cried at this part:
This part is when Hamlet’s mom (Gertrude) discovers Ophelia’s trunk full of love letters from Hamlet and realizes that Ophelia has probably gone off to kill herself. Things are at a tipping point in the story when this scene appears, and Anastasia Hille NAILS it. There’s no dialogue, no soliloquy, just straight up emotion. And I felt it. I felt the maternal instinct of terror that is overcoming Gertrude in this moment when she recognizes what might have been, how her son might have been happy and with Ophelia, but that her own actions have ripped that apart at the seams. The fabric of her life and purpose are torn beyond repair. And OMG I felt it. The play has a lot of noise, but this was a moment of quiet that spoke to the horror of the actions happening offstage (Ophelia’s death) and the insurmountable guilt of Gertrude coming fully to the surface. This is the moment the play unfolds into its true tale. Never before had I seen Gertrude pull out the critical moment in a production of Hamlet. Never before had I remembered this scene and been so moved by it.
For me, it was really Ophelia’s performance (Siân Brooke) that rang truest. No other time have I read or seen this play and truly understood Ophelia’s point in it. This time, however, it was super clear. She acts in accordance to her father’s wishes, and while he is misguided and she is in love with Hamlet, she still obeys. She is acting as a woman in her time. It’s very real in this version of Hamlet how stuck in the situation Ophelia is. And when she’s made to test Hamlet on his love for her, on his sanity, it’s really quite upsetting to watch. Poor Ophelia!
Ophelia’s story is extremely well portrayed in this version and I felt like when Hamlet returns and learns of her death, that is truly the moment he goes over the edge. The rest of the world around him has already descended into insanity of emotions, but it is that moment of learning that the one thing he considered real was gone forever. That she was driven to madness because of a death he caused, even if that was caused by his rage over his father’s murder. It was just all very real and emotionally shattering. Like, Benedict is going to make you cry because Ophelia and Gertrude will have already made you cry. You will cry. And it won’t be when everyone goes all murder happy at the end. It will be before that.
So, go check it out this week on October 15 or for the possible encores on October 20 and 22 if the first date doesn’t work for you. They have a convenient search for a theatre near you app on their website. You will not regret it! And unlike Coriolanus, no one is gutted while hanging upside down at the end.
