Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford-Upon-Avon – until 29th March 2025
Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh
5****
Audacious and atmospheric, Rupert Goold’s rendition of Hamlet reimagines Elsinore as a ship at sea. Spliced with scenes reminiscent of occurrences upon the Titanic, the tale plays out over a single night, heightening the urgency and doom. Hamlet, prince of Denmark, is in mourning over his father’s death. He is racked with resentment over his uncle’s marriage to his mother, making him the king and sullying his dead brother’s memory. Visited by the ghost of the dead king, Hamlet uncovers his uncle’s plot to murder and usurp his father, plummeting him into paranoia, mental unravelling and a pathway of destruction to exact revenge.
It’s difficult to believe that this is Luke Thallon’s RSC debut. His performance as Hamlet is outstanding. Charming and captivating, he disarmingly vocalises verse as if plucking the words from nowhere. Natural yet incredibly nuanced, he has carved out this Hamlet as his own. Jared Harris’s Claudius is subtle and suave, striking only when his sinful ways are exposed. Miranda Colchester is poised and ever on edge as the bereaved and bewildered Gertrude. Elliot Levey’s Polonius is a velvet clad gent, humorously playing loving father and breaking the fourth wall as he documents Hamlet’s mental decent. Nia Towle’s Ophelia is a harrowing sight as she struggles to understand the changes in Hamlet. The play within a play is reminiscent of Japanese Noh theatre, wonderfully stylised and beautifully performed by Anton Lesser and the ensemble. Lesser also plays the ghost of the slain king to profound effect.
The ship is a character within itself, undulating along with the action. Es Devlin’s masterful deck design runs on the stage and ceiling, with raised tables and openings which lead below deck. Akhila Krishnan’s video design runs panoramically down-stage giving the impression you are at sea. Roiling waves become more tumultuous as the drama increases. We see the sea, the bowels of the ship, port holes and a variety of visuals to keep it fresh and interesting but never to detract from the live action. Jack Knowles’ lighting is complex, impressive and intricate. Illuminating spirits, soliloquies and sword fights along with the deck and video design, the production values are brilliant.
Steered by a superb creative team and performed by a stellar cast, this production of Hamlet is a triumph. The courage to castaway the traditions that tether this tragedy make this a truly memorable performance and a must see.