David Tennant's Hamlet

There's a scrum of autograph-hunters, a few squeals and squeaks, and lots of flashing cameras in the darkness around the stage door of the RSC's Courtyard theatre in Stratford. There were similar scenes last year in the West End for Orlando Bloom.  This time they're waiting to see if Doctor Who has successfully regenerated back into David Tennant after three and a half hours on stage as Hamlet.  What I saw on Monday was the fourth preview, and official press night isn't until August 5, so my judgment on Tennant's performance and the rest of Gregory Doran's new production may be a little premature, but I don't think anything of substance is likely to change between now and the end of the Stratford run in November.  After that, the production will switch from the exciting thrust stage of the Courtyard to the boring old proscenium arch of the Novello theatre for a few weeks in London in December and January.  So here's my verdict in a nutshell:  it's a good production, well worth seeing, but David Tennant is disappointingly one-dimensional as Hamlet. 

After seeing the RSC's thrilling histories series at the Roundhouse in London in April and May, I was very keen to get inside the Courtyard for the first time and see where the plays were conceived.  The Courtyard is the company's temporary home while its main theatre over the road is demolished and rebuilt.  (The RSC has studiously avoided using the word demolition, preferring to call it a transformation, but that's effectively what is happening -- and quite right too. Of the old brick 1930s auditorium, it looks as though only the though the facade and one or two other elements will remain.)  This is a modern dress Hamlet performed on a shiny floor that echoes the mirrors at the back of the stage.  The opening ghost scenes are lit by electric torches bouncing off the floor, and the court scenes are accompanied by elaborate chandeliers; otherwise there's no scenery or furniture, apart from a pair of gilt thrones for the players's scene and some equally tacky gilded boudoir stuff in Gertrude's bedroom.  The design by Robert Jones and the Ruritanian-Scandinavian costumes make coherent sense, and the final duel between Hamlet and Laertes is a proper fencing bout with rapiers and masks.  Greg Doran is a director I admire greatly, and probably the RSC's safest pair of hands.  All his productions are highly intelligent and are staged with absolute clarity;  he's a director who thinks not just about the experts who have seen Hamlet dozens of times, but about the people who are seeing the play for the first time.  And he seems to give the actors enough space to develop their own interpretations, rather than laying down the law and forcing them to fit in with his preconceived ideas.  There are lots of inventive touches, such as Ophelia finding contraceptives in her brother's suitcase as he heads back to France, complete with his fencing gear.  Horatio wears a worn corduroy jacket with leather patches on the elbows, pinpointing him immediately as an underpaid university lecturer from Wittenberg, who's probably teaching a course on Renaissance tragedy.  Hamlet has a flickknife in his pocket, though he despatches Polonius with a revolver taken from his mother's bedside cabinet.    The only scene where the director's approach seems to me to miss the target is the players' performance of the story of Gonzago, which seems to have strayed in from some other production, being over-elaborate and over-designed.  At the end of the scene there's a radical departure from the usual interpretation of how Claudius reacts to the portrayal of the murder;  instead of showing guilt and panic, Patrick Stewart's arrogant Claudius strides across to Hamlet with a look of contempt that shows his patience with his stepson has been finally exhausted.  Stewart, after playing Prospero, Antony and Macbeth in quick succession, is once again magnetically watchable as Claudius, turning the usurping king into the central focus of the action every time he comes on stage;  there's a great moment when his mask of composure slips for a second when he's told that the crowd is cheering Laertes for king.  The only jarring note comes when Claudius kneels to pray ('my offence is rank'), an action that seems strangely out of character for this supremely cynical politician.  The other outstanding performance is by Oliver Ford Davies as Polonius, a part he seems to have been born to play.  Once he was eliminated from the action (shot behind a mirror rather than stabbed behind the arras as Shakespeare wrote it) I really missed him.  There's also a strong performance from another RSC veteran, John Woodvine, as the Player King.

And how did David Tennant cut it as Hamlet?  In one sense, he's already fulfilled his role for the RSC by making sure every seat for every night of the play will have a bum on it.  He's a good stage actor, but on this evidence, not a great one. I last saw him about six years ago in Lobby Hero, an American play at the Donmar in which he gave an excellent performance as a naive young security guard.  Since then, most of his work has been on TV, culminating in his roaring success as Doctor Who.  In the early scenes of the play the audience sees him curled up in a foetal position in despair, or standing in cold isolation on the far corner of the stage, curling his lip at Claudius and Gertrude.  Tennant's Hamlet is sardonic, sarcastic, flippant and jokey;  but somehow this spoilt adolescent, prancing around barefoot with the players' fake crown perched sideways on his head, never quite develops into anything else.  In the final scene there was a telling giggle from the audience at the line 'I am dead, Horatio' which indicated that the tragic dimension was failing to work as it should.  The key to the part should be in the soliloquy scenes, where Hamlet talks not to the other characters but to the audience.  Tennant gazes at the audience as he speaks, but never really communicates with them or feeds off their reactions.  Shakespeare's soliloquies are a tough assignment for any actor, and it's possible that given time Tennant will relax enough to forge that magical relationship with the audience which great actors achieve.  I couldn't help wondering how the two stars of the RSC Histories cycle, Geoffrey Streatfeild (Henry V) and Jonathan Slinger (Richard III) would have managed it.  When I interviewed Streatfeild recently he told me that after two years of rehearsal he was only just working out how to deliver the soliloquies to an audience.  Tennant isn't bad as Hamlet, but he doesn't (yet) bring out the many different dimensions of the role. I'm being tough on him because the RSC is the Rolls-Royce of British theatre and their work consistently hits such a high standard. I was reminded of Ewan McGregor's Iago at the Donmar last year -- another very talented Scottish actor who has probably spent too much time in front of the camera to be able to hone the different skill of working in front of an audience.  I'll be interested to see what the critics make of Tennant when they turn up in Stratford next week. And no doubt there will be comparisons with Jude Law when the Donmar's Hamlet opens in London next May. 

Comments

[CharlieBean]

I completely disagree, i went too see the performance On the 2nd Of August, and i have never been able to get into Shakespeare,or ever seen a shakespearian play, being a typical 16yr old as it were. And i'll admit i did go too see Hamlet originaly for David Tennant, but, i have honestly never enjoyed anything more.

His stage presense was incredible, putting so much emotion into everything he did, and carrying a leading role so well, and it wasn't just David who shone through, other actors such as Patrick Stewart and Peter De Jersey made the performance just as enjoyable.

And i think perhaps this being the most important thing, that David's involvement in such a popular Shakespeare production has only done possitive things, bringing people such as myself to be able to enjoy a production so serious.

With such an,emotional, touching & endearign performace i struggle to see wether we actually watched the same thing.

And to call David's performance 'One Dimentional' is something i will never unserstand, and as one as my friends just said (lol sorry) this report seems to be way to far "Up itself" for it's own good, perhaps through just wanting to slate DT's performance to draw attention to your review or perhaps through jelousy of talent.

I have No Idea, basically i just disagree

[Lauren]

I completley disagree with the views stated in this review. I will be the first to admit that I am not a fan of Shakespeare and was really only going to see David Tennant, however this does not change my views on the play, I thoroughly enjoyed this play especially David Tennant's version of Hamlet. I loved the jokey attitude of David's Hamlet and as for his spoilt adolescent performance not developing into anything, this kept the audience captivated, every audience member was captivated, I and I am sure many others could emphasise with David during every scene, I was close to tears during the scenes he was 'curled up in the foetal position in despair' would you not do the same if someone you loved had been killed by someone you knew? and standing on the corner of the stage in cold isolation curling his lip at Claudius and Gertrude I would do the same.
You say that you don't know how David was cast for this role because his Hamlet is 'one dimensional' he was not one dimensional what so ever! If David was not right for the role would he have been cost? I think not. As he said in a interview 'every actor makes the role their own and that is what I plan to do. David made the role his own!!

[jules]

I'm not saying that everyone is not entitled to his opinion, and certainly you obviously do know your onions. But, speaking as a Hamlet virgin, I have to disagree slightly with your view of David Tennant in the lead role. Certainly, it is not without flaws, and some of this can be layed at the cutting of the play and also the movement or removal of some of the speeches (To be or not to be being the most notable). However, I have to disagree that Mr Tennant did not engage the audience in any way... I am sorry you think you heard a giggle at one point, because when I saw it you could hear a pin drop during his death scene. Not to say he is perfect - altough a fan, I am certainly beyond being happy to see him 'grin' - I was surprised at the 'throw away' nature of 'To be or not to be, but again feel that the direction may have pointed to this, a very spare and quiet Hamlet when alone, wild and mad when with others.

All in all, I found all the performances wonderful and to be honest, one of the most magical theatre experiences I've had.

[jess]

id like to say that i disagree tremoundsly.. i went to watch hamlet on the 4th night (28th july) knowing that the nerves may have calmed a bit the performance was outstanding. i am a typical 17yr old. and hamlet was my first experience of a shakespeare play at the courtyard theatre.. and it definalty isnt my last. David Tennant was truly amazing.. and he pulled of Hamlets character perfectly.. getting the balance of all the crazy emotions just right. Even though hamlet is a tradgedy.. which obvioudly means death the prospect of this was uplifted with humour. David Tennant has the comical timing down to a tea.. and his energy across stage jsut didnt stop.. as for his delivery of lines... not a single fault.. even if there was .. it was unrecognisable. The sheer talent David has is unbelievable. the thought of working beside him aswell as Patrick Stewart, Oliver Ford Davies and Peter de Jersey would be amazing. Patrick errie portrayal of the 'ghost' compared to CLaudius is cleverly performed, however Oliver Ford Davies as Polonius was truly amazing.. and extremely funny. the part was made for him.
Overall Hamlet was more then i expected.. and even better for me is that i now have a head start in my English Alevel.. because i will be studying hamlet woo. will be good to see davids performance in love labours lost in october... then i will be able to see a truly different character. cant wait

[Damian Pittam]

I am a "veteran" of about 8 or 9 Hamlet performances (including a previous RSC tour production) and I have to say I disagree with John's view's on David Tennants portrayal of Hamlet. I went to the first night performance on 24 July. I found his performance to be touching, endearing, funny and thoroughly captivating.
I do agree with John on Patrick Stewart, he chewed up the stage every time he was on, and also with his views on Oliver Ford Davies' Polonius. Quite simply the best Polonius I have seen.

[Emma Jones]

I have watched many Hamlet performances in my time and I have to say that David Tennant's take on Hamlet has so far been the best. He engaged me fully and I really felt involved in the play; the comedy aspect was also excellent! How anyone can say that David Tennant is anything BUT excellent is beyond me. Well done David! You have done the RSC proud!

[Catherine]

I really have to disagree with you. David's performance was breath-taking. Literally! The sad scenes made me cry and the quirky jokes made me cry with laughter.
David really brought amazing quality to the character. A stunning performance from him! He was amazing and I think that he brought such a brilliant character!

[Lois]

I think you must have all seen a different production to me! I, too, was there on Monday. I have seen Hamlet several times, and David Tennant far surpasses any of the other actors I've seen in the role. I have had several friends who have also seen the play and everyone agrees that he brings an amazing energy and emotion to the part. I was also personally impressed by the clarity of the delivery of the dialogue and, in particular, the speeches. I hope that people don't take this as an opportunity to criticise an actor who has already, in the past, proved himself to be an excellent Shakespearean actor.

[Natalie]

as much as I wanted DT to be a brilliant Hamlet (this being the first live production of the show I've seen), he was not jaw droppingly outstanding. That being said it wasn't a disaster. I quite agree with this review, although good, the real tragedy of Hamlet never quite got there. I did enjoy the "modernisations" however. And of course Stewart and Ford-Davies were amazing.

[nick]

The review above is very fair. I went a couple of nights ago and Tennant seemed relaxed and confident. I’m one of many in the audience seeing Shakespeare for only the first or second time at the RSC. The courtyard is a great venue, its unusual setting gives everything a contemporary feel. The production was excellent; I and my other half were fully engaged throughout. DT is a competent actor and does well but for me Stewarts performance was without peer. A true pleasure to see such an excellent up close. If you can get a ticket go and see it, I think you’d have a very nice three and a half hours.