The crowd enjoyed it, a standing ovation lasting several minutes with a lot of American style whooping bemused me (seemed planted) as much as the play. It had moments of brilliance (Ophelia’s suicide to sail to the moon, clever use of the stage) to moment’s of “ I shouldn’t be laughing at the bride and groom’s naff wedding receptions rehearsed dance”, Hamlets and Ophelia’s love dance. At least the tunes were good. I wondered how they would get “a drunken punch up at a wedding” in, oh of course the scene when four main characters die, it is a tragedy. A dark and empty stage except for a few Marshall amps, all actors in black set the scene for the greatest tragedy written in the last thousand years to the soundtrack of one of this century’s best albums. The band on stage playing live, but as if recording in the studio behind glass was effective but perhaps a little too polished to feel really live. Take that as a compliment. The acting was faultless even though there were times when they had to dance to tunes whilst delivering famous soliloquise, also surprised that the actors sang Radiohead lyrics at vital Hamlet moments, it worked. “Just cause you feel it doesn’t mean it’s there”, is about as Hamlet as it gets. Overall glad I went and had two days in Stratford (never been before, another review, a two for one, Stratford failed in trying to be twee). Great idea for the play succeeded in not being Mama Mia for more serious music fans. Can’t decide if it deserved an 8 so go with a 7 3/4’s. the play is going on tour after July, catch it if you like Radiohead
I heard his girlfriend Jacinda had arranged a special production in NZ for him of lamblet hail to the sheep
