HAMLET

Hamlet is Shakespeare's most famous and notable work, and perhaps one of the most famous pieces of English literature ever to be created. It is also his longest play, stretching at a staggering 4 hours. It's so long that it has to start before midday so that the Globe theatre had enough daylight to perform the show. It is said to be written between 1599 and 1602. Hamlet was first performed in 1609.

What is Hamlet about?

Hamlet is a play about family, murder, betrayal, love and what it means to die. It centres around a young prince Hamlet who's father has just died, leaving him and his mother Gertrude behind. Whilst the whole of Denmark grieves, the newly appointed King of Denmark, Claudius, takes over his brothers mantle. Hamlet is trying to come to grips at the loss of his father and his place in th world, when his mother Gertrude mysteriously marries Claudius exceptionally quickly after the death of Hamlets father. Hamlet feels that this is grotesque and wrong, and that his mother has betrayed his father. However, one night, Hamlets best and most loyal friend Horatio sights something strange lurking around the battlements of Elsinore castle. He alerts Hamlet during a period of self confession and mourning. Hamlet is then visited upon by a ghost. The ghost of his father, returned to tell him of his murder and how he has been usurped by his brother Claudius who poisoned him by pouring a potion into his ear whilst he slept. Hamlet, shocked and confused is asked by his fathers spirit to avenge him and kill Claudius.

Hamlet: A Contemporary Re-imagining of a Classic

Hamlet performed at the Almeida Theatre, London

In this production of Hamlet, the style and aesthetic was very critical in nailing the atmosphere of the piece. Hamlet by the Almeida really focused on the aspect of death, and the afterlife. It narrowed down on what it was to grieve and why living is so hard. The concept was that it was set in a very rich family apartment, albeit still the kings apartment. The characters, especially, Hamlet felt more down to earth, grounded and human.

In this production of Hamlet, the costumes were very formal. Most of the men wore suits and the females wore dresses, as if at a wine bar or a dinner date. Except for Hamlet who is only seen wearing a suit for one scene and is then wearing somewhat casual clothes for the rest of the show. This makes Hamlet feel like one of the audience, a person and instantly relatable as we feel for him. Whereas character like Claudius visibly appear rich and upper class. 

The casting was exceptionally good. Andrew Scott, who played Hamlet (my character) was very fragile and emotionally distraught. His portrayal of Hamlet was so real, I believed every second of it. His choice to perform with his Irish accent felt a little out of place but was quickly forgotten because of his amazing performance. What was particularity interesting was his relationship with Gertrude. They were emotionally connected beyond what I could fathom. Every scene they were in it was like a dance. One would move and the other would respond hastily and it worked like that through entire show until Claudius entered. Then he would stand still, frozen by anger. It was beautiful to watch. 

SHAKESPEARE TODAY (IMOGEN)

Recently, I saw a production of Shakespeare's 'Cymbeline' at the Globe theatre during my last few terms at BRIT. It sparingly used elements of traditional Shakespeare, but also combined it with a contemporary setting, story and characters.

One thing I noticed about this production is it's take on classical theatre. It stripped it of it traditional roots of medieval England and its heritage and instead placed it in the heart of modern London, with issues being that of today as opposed of the past. What would have traditionally featured over the top dress and larger than life stage personas was instead re imagined with a naturalistic and human setting. 

During this performance, the lighting was all done electronically as opposed to the natural lighting that would've been used during Shakespeare's time. This play would have been performed mid day to maximise the amount of daylight they could use. Instead, Imogen was performed later in the day (around 7 o' clock) so that the tech could supply the artificial stage lights. This, to me, is much better than what would have been in the original performances. Stage lights create drama and atmosphere. Something that natural light cannot provide. It creates a sense of excitement, tension and euphoria for the audience.

During the original productions, the natural daylight would have definitely been off putting if the scene required lines that looked up to the stars or mentioned the darkness. Of course there were nighttime matinees performances available during this time, but they were more costly to put on and were not as often used as daylight shows. This production also featured live stage fighting and flying. Something that would have been deemed impossible in Shakespeare's time. True stage violence that looks exceptionally grotesque and vulgar wouldn't have been used as it would have shocked audiences. Today, it's common practice. The show featured flying mechanics that made the stage feel like it was all around you. 

Another difference is that the set is much different. Imogen had large construction like a greenhouse and a bedroom set out on the stage which would have been abnormal in a traditional production. Shakespeare's performances would have been exceptionally minimalist, whereas this production was large scale structures and props being used in every scene. A traditional set would be very baron. Leaving a big job for the audience to create the spaces and worlds through their imaginations. Whereas the world is created by the set team for you in a contemporary show.

Perhaps the biggest difference in this production of Cymbeline is that of the acting. The performance style differs from classic Shakespearean acting immensely. Originally, an actor was expected to project so much so that it appeared as if you were shouting or hard of hearing. Now, with a modern director, the actors are told to perform in a naturalistic style and tone so that it feels real, raw and human. This is much more effective as it creates a connection between actor and audience, and tells the journey of the story. A Shakespearean actor will physically dramatise the character as opposed to showing the character through emoting. This means that the story is told physically as opposed to a modern way.

Overall, modern Shakespeare is in many ways improved, but the traditional element of Shakespeare's writing will always present in every production as its so important.

THEATRES, ACTORS AND ACTING IN SHAKESPEARE'S TIME 

The Globe Theatre in 1610

SHAKESPEAREAN PLAYHOUSES

James Burbage built one of the first ever playhouses just outside of the city of London. This playhouse was a multi storied theatre with three sides in the round. Seating was available at different price levels for those of different class or even nobility. The most affordable being that of the groundlings, standing right up close to the yard, and the most expensive being seated in the gods. The most elusive seats however was the royal box. 

Shakespeare's theatre company, The Lord Chamberlains men, performed at Burbages playhouse before Burbage lost their lease of the theatre. Shortly after a new theatre was born, much larger and more grandiose. This was to be known as The Globe Theatre. This would house much more than the original playhouse Burbage has created. For this construction to go ahead, Shakespeared and the Lord Chamberlain Men shared the lease with Burbage. Fourteen years after this theatre was created, during the production of Shakespeare's Henry VIII, a canon was fired during the show which set ablaze the roof of the theatre, burning in to the ground. However, shortly after the Globe was rebuilt in the same spot. The Globe Theatre has become the most famous theatre ever created and is still visited to this very day.

ACTORS IN SHAKESPEARE

During Shakespeare's plays, it was strictly all male. Men only had the privilege to perform whereas ladies were not allowed. This meant that all the female characters were to be played by a man in woman's clothing. Also, actors in Shakespeare's time were required to have other notable skills such as music, dance and be able to confidently fence. Actors would don larger than life costumes to accentuate the over the top performing style, some of the costumes were the clothes in which the nobles didn't want. These costumes would often take a parody of notable figures in history. However, that being said, many of the leading roles would wear very glamorous and modern dress.

In terms of performance, actors would often over project as that was seen as the done thing. Their physicality would be very rigid and upright, like nobility; not much of a performance per say. The only actors that would truly physicalise their movements were the comedic roles. This is vastly different to todays actors as we are taught how important it is to physicalise your character and to feel natural with our voices.

Actors today are treated as social icons. They are glamorised by the people and loved by the masses, some actors are household names just as the like of the queen is. This couldn't be further off than in Elizabethan England. During this time, actors were scene as the lowest of the low and regarded as gypsy travellers and they were touring companies to perform in different cities. Most of the general populous believed that the plague was spread by actors travelling across the country. 

Plays during this time were very. very minimalist. There was to be no scenery or decoration. Theatre companies had an exceptionally low budget unless they were supported financially by royalty, which almost certainly never happened. 

SHAKESPEARE'S LONDON AND ELIZABETHAN AUDIENCES

Illustration of a night of theatre at Shakespeare's Globe

Who were the people attending the theatre? 

Shakespearean audiences consisted of all classes. Lower class labourers, middle class workers and businessmen, upper class gentlemen and lords (seated in the Lords Room) and even her majesty herself, Queen Elizabeth I, in the royal courts.

Most people in London visited the theatre as it was affordable and one of the few luxuries many could afford. By 1600, most theatres in the city of London could seat 3000, with 10,000 to 20,000 people visiting the theatre weekly.  Elizabethan audiences were mostly men as women didn't have the same opportunities as woman. The audience, despite being filled with commoners, also saw its fair share of the rich and wealthy. The theatre saw royal families from all over enjoy the stories told. Shakespeare's plays were performed in the royal courts for the nobility who wished to see it. The courts of James I and Elizabeth I. 

The cheapest price for theatres tickets during Elizabethan era was 1 penny, enough for a standing ticket. Standing tickets in Shakespeare's Globe Theatre were called groundlings. For an additional 1 penny more, you could buy yourself a bench seat underneath shelter and a comfortable viewing platform. This included a padded cushion for you to sit on. The highest priced seats were located in the 'Lords Room', a place that was too grandiose for most people to afford. The low cost of a standard ticket such as the groundlings and the lower galleries was why theatre was so popular. It was affordable. 

Illustration featuring Elizabeth I,  Sir Francis Drake and William Shakespeare

What was London like in Elizabethan Times? 

London was the biggest city in England and also was the richest, housing the English nobility, despite Elizabeth owning several properties across the country. London was the home of theatre. It had the first permanent playhouses. Before then, the theatre were bands of gypsy travellers who roamed across the country. Actors were the lowest of the low. It also was the biggest engineering city in the country, a place of great technological prosperity. Because of this, the workers of these industries after a days work, had the money to spare (1 penny) to go and relax at the theatre. 

London was growing at an exponential rate, many migrants moved to London from Europe or the more rural areas of the country. By 1600, London housed over 200,000 people. London was overcrowded in its city walls. However, London also housed people it didn't want. Because of it's overcrowded population, the streets became cramped, dark and narrow. This attracted a large population of thieves, increasing the crime rate of the city. The close quartered nature of the city also aided the spread of diseases. This was a serious issue as in 1593, the Bubonic Plague (also known as The Black Death) struck theatres goers and the general populous. Many believed the plague had spread by actors as they were scum who travelled across the country, but that simply isn't true on its own. In 1593, 10,000 people were killed by the Black Death and all theatres were closed.

                   SHAKESPEARE'S LIFE

Portrait of William Shakespeare

The date of Shakespeare's birth is still relatively unknown as records of the time are scarce, but historians guess that he was born a few days prior to his baptism on 26th April 1564, in his birth place Stratford-upon-Avon. William Shakespeare lived his life over 400 years ago, but to this day theatre companies around the world are still re imagining his plays. 

Despite being raised in Stratford as well as owning a property and having family there also, his primary place of work was in the capital, London. At the time, London was at the forefront for English theatre, with himself at the top of the writing chain. His popularity was immense for the time, both being a playwright and an actor. Later in his life he owned the second largest house in Stratford.

William was the son to John and Mary Shakespeare. William was the eldest of five siblings. He had three younger brothers, Gilbert, Richard and Edmund as well as two younger sisters, Anne and Joan. Anne dying just age seven. He was the oldest surviving child as Mary's previous two girls did not survive past infancy.  The father of the family, John, was a successful leather worker, making gloves and other items. John became and alderman and eventually the town bailiff. John married a woman by the name of Mary, who was part of the well known Arden family.  

Shakespeare was a student at Stratfords Grammar School at around age 15. He would have studied Latin heavily, which included writing, acting and memorisation of plays. A few years later, in 1582, William left the school and married Anne Hathaway just age 18 despite her being 26 years old and bearing their first child. Anne also grew up in Stratford in the village of Shottery and stayed the rest of her life there. 

in 1585, William and Anne had twins named Judith and Hamnet. Hamnet died just age 11 in 1596. This broke Williams heart, causing him to write many of his famous sonnets dedicated to Hamnet. This is also one of the reasons Shakespeare talked a lot about death and losing children in his work. Actors pursuing a career in theatre had to move to London as it was the only place to find work. His daughters all married, and Shakespeare became a grandfather in 1608, but the family eventually died out.

Shakespeare became a member of the Kings Men, a prosperous theatre group, formerly known as the Lord Chamberlains Men. William benefited both financially and career wise from being in the Kings Men. Shakespeare died on April 26th, 1616 with know cause of his death. However historians theorise that because his brother in law passed away a week earlier, he may have died from infectious diseases.

LIFE IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND (L1)

Example of homes during the time.

The country side had rather atrocious living conditions. People who lived in the city of London lived amongst faecal matter and the fear of disease spreading, whereas common folk from the country would live in dark thatch houses with holes for windows. Lighting was a no go as candles were expensive; way beyond the pay of a labourer. They would be lucky to own a straw mat to rest their heads on as a mattress substitute. If they couldn't afford one, they would lie on the floor. Many cases report large families of six plus sharing a home fit for two at max. Elizabethan society was divided into the class in which you were born. If born a rich nobleman, you'd never dare contact a person below your wealth and vise versa. This is the law of the land. If you're born poor, you'll die poor.

“The cold stuck so deep into them their flesh was eaten with vermin and corrupt diseases grew on them” - City of Norwich, Order for the poor, 1571

Countrymen were split into three categories :

Yeoman

 These men might own or rent land and employs workers to come and work on their own land.

Husbandmen

Husbandmen rents the land he works on.

Labourers

Labourers simply work on other peoples farms.

For an unemployed poor person - finding work would be extremely limited. Their best bet is to go around looking for work as a labourer and work on someone else's land. For a common man, a full on hard day of work would earn you a Groat. One Groat is the equivalent of around four pence, enough for a loaf of bread. Luxuries of the day like a Lemon would cost £75 by todays standards, and a full chicken for dinner would spend you £100. Because of these harsh conditions, men would drink ale as alternative to water as the water was so polluted, it was safer to get ale. Men, women and children were practically starving whilst the rich dined on banquets.