Two New Hamlets
It has been announced that Jude Law will play Hamlet under the direction of Kenneth Branagh at London's Donmar Warehouse in 2009. Branagh directed Law and Michael Caine in a remake (though they say it's not a remake) of Anthony Schaefer's Sleuth, the original starring Caine and Olivier, of course. Law has appeared at the Young Vic in John Ford's 'Tis Pity She's A Whore in 1999, and Marlowe's Doctor Faustus in 2002. Read all about it in:
- The Telegraph
- The Guardian (not a favorable response)
- The Daily Mail
- Playbill
- The Stage News
Meanwhile, Jonathan Bate reports that David Tennant (yes, Dr. Who) will appear as Hamlet in next year's RSC season, with Patrick Stewart confirmed as Claudius (July - November, 2008). Here is the Telegraph's description of Tennant's Who: "He is not only an alien, but also alienated, adrift in a hostile universe, prone to bouts of existential gloom and occasional mad, gambolling antics." Sound like any Dane we know?
Read all about the RSC Hamlet (Tennant will also undertake Berowne in LLL for the RSC) in:
I know we don't have to choose, but if we did, which would you rather attend?
Isn't it appropriate to have trouble choosing between the two? I would say Kenneth Branagh's, because I'm watching his movie Hamlet now and noticing how thoroughly he adapted it to the cinema. It would be interesting to see what he does with it on stage.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Peter | September 12, 2007 at 11:47 AM
Peter, I believe I would choose the David Tennant production because of his superior skills, that and the fact that I admifre Stewart as Claudius, a role he took in the BBC production with Derek Jacobi as Hamlet. I certainly agree it would be tempting to see what Branagh will do as director. I can't wait to see his Sleuth. --Terry
Posted by: Terry Gray | September 12, 2007 at 03:50 PM
All right, sold. Any tickets left for the Tennant Hamlet?
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Peter | September 12, 2007 at 07:01 PM