I always wonder about Gertrude’s presence at Ophelia’s death from her speech and what she did. Again she excels in later scenes and the touch of her running after Ophelia is something I loved, as is the added detail of her dress (sleeves and bottom half) being clearly wet when she returns with news of her death. Thankfully the closet scene is stronger than it was in early previews. HAMLET by Shakespeare,, Writer – William Shakespeare, Director – Lyndsey Turner, Set design -Es Devlin, Lighting – Jane Cox, The Barbican, 2015, Credit: Johan Persson/Īnastasia Hille is much improved as Gertrude, bringing more substance to her presence on stage and to her relationship with her son. The piano, the photographs and camera, the gorgeous use of light and Jon Hopkins’ Abandon Window music add to the impact and the moment she leaves the stage is visually beautiful. The use of snatched dialogue she has heard or overheard earlier during her “mad” scene is very clever and shows how those around her have been the cause of her emotional breakdown the mock funeral she stages is very sad and truly brings home the tragedy of her situation and her final moments on stage remain the most moving and powerful of the show. This is much more believable in my view, as we all suffer losses of varying degrees in our lives and it is more much relatable than someone dancing around manically. I still don’t feel that there is a significant connection between her and Hamlet, but what I truly love about her portrayal is she’s not a mad whirling girl, but someone who becomes so broken by grief and loss. Sian Brooke’s Ophelia has grown in her role over the previews. I was relieved that overall the show was much stronger, mainly in terms of the supporting performances. After seeing the very first performance, a preview in week two and now the show three weeks in, it’s interesting to see what’s changed and what hasn’t.

Saturday night saw me return to the Barbican for my third visit to Hamlet and the first since press night.

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