Hamlet - Wyndhams Theatre 2009

Genre: Drama
Opened 3 June 2009
Written: By William Shakespeare
Directed: Michael Grandage
Producer: Donmar Warehouse
Cast: Jude Law (Hamlet), Penelope Wilton (Gertrude), Kevin R McNally (Claudius), Ron Cook (Polonius)
Synopsis: The King of Denmark is dead. Consumed with grief, Prince Hamlet determines to avenge his father's apparent murder, with devastating consequences for his family and the kingdom.

What the popular press had to say.....
HENRY HITCHING'S for THE EVENING STANDARD says, "[Jude] Law's performance is detailed and powerful...Law's is not a funny Hamlet, but he possesses both self-lacerating candour and romantic dash." CHARLES SPENCER for THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, " [Jude Law]joins the modern pantheon of spellbinding sweet princes with a performance of rare vulnerability and emotional openness...Anyone who loves the play will enjoy this Hamlet, but the people I envy most are those who see it for the first time in this thrilling and deeply-felt production." MICHAEL COVENEY for THE INDEPENDENT says, "Jude [Law] is fine, it's just that he's not all that interesting when you do hear him. For a start he's not funny, which is sad given he's playing the wittiest tragic hero ever written. His speed of speech is a terrible affliction. And he looks like someone en route to the gym, in his grey sweat shirt and baggy pantaloons." QUENTIN LETTS for THE DAILY MAIL says, "At times in this patchy show it is as though director Michael Grandage has not wanted to intervene on the text - or perhaps been too busy to tell his actors what to do. But handsome Mr Law is excellent. He makes a likeable Hamlet." MICHAEL BILLINGTON for THE GUARDIAN says, "A swift, clear, well-staged version of Shakespeare's most exciting play...What exactly does Law bring to Hamlet? Principally, a sense of moody solitude and moral disgust...I missed the quicksilver humour that is part of Hamlet's character. But Law's Hamlet has the right inwardness and self-awareness." BEN DOWELL for THE STAGE says, "It's up to Law to power this and that he does, propelling this impressive production with a raw, urgent power that most of his acting contemporaries would find hard to match." BENEDICT NIGHTINGALE for THE TIMES says, "His [Jude Law]verse-speaking is immaculate and his charisma comes powering out...His strength is that he's robust and tough."

External links to full reviews from popular press
The Guardian
The Independent
The Times
Daily Telegraph