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.