Hamlet: RSC

Another production of Hamlet, but luckily one with a few unusual touches. Don't be alarmed if you think that "To be or not to be" occurs a bit earlier than you recall. It does. Gregory Doran has repositioned the speech to its place in the First Quarto instead of the more familiar First Folio. He's done this because it seems to fit in better with the psychology of Hamlet at this earlier point in the play, and it does work rather well. Likewise, the actor playing Old Hamlet usually doubles up with the role of the Player King. However, this time Patrick Stewart plays both Old Hamlet and Claudius, adding an extra dimension. This means that in addition to Hamlet being mirrored by the more active characters of Laertes and Fortinbras, and the true friendship of Horatio being contrasted with the more venal Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, the warlike Old Hamlet is thrown into relief by the wily politician that is Claudius. Curiously this makes the latter more sympathetic as a diplomatic ruler endeavouring to avoid war. There's also a hilarious Polonius, prone to rambling mid-sentence, but with flashes of dignity. As for Hamlet, he's clearly not mad and the Doctor's performance is very solid. There's a few too many pauses between the lines during the early monologues but matters improve later in the play. The final appearance of Fortinbras might not be completely obvious to those not familiar with the play, especially as his lines are cut, but otherwise it's all very enjoyable.