Hamlet: The Rest is Silence at Nottingham Concert Hall Review
Written by Hollie for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Caution: Age Guidance: 7+. Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18+
Nottingham’s Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall in collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare Nation bring this modern and thought-provoking adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies to the Concert Hall stage this week.
Using the expansive Concert Hall as a storytelling feature, the team behind the scenes have embarked on a year-long training programme to get to this point. The minimalist set within the Concert Hall allows for more focus to be on the actors and their dialogue within the play. Additionally, the actors in this production are a blend of complete newcomers as well as aspiring actors who, over the two evenings that the production is being performed this week, change depending on the evening that you are viewing the show.
The cast were predominantly women for this production, who were playing male roles, and there were some standout performances that need a mention. Horatio’s opening line, “Let me speak”, was played by Emily Kelsey. She opened the show with confidence and clear diction. Sophie Small brought much needed expression and renewed energy to her role as Laertes, and Aoife O’Neill, who played Hamlet, brought sincerity and enthusiasm to her role as the protagonist.
The tragedy begins with the declaration of King Hamlet’s death. Young Hamlet, the Danish Prince, seeks revenge as he finds out that his father was murdered and his mother quickly marries the new King, his uncle, Claudius. Whispers and silence are used as a production technique to emphasise the use of sound and peace throughout the production.
Creative elements such as famous Shakespearean phrases from other plays of his, such as ‘star-crossed lovers’ from Romeo and Juliet, as well as the use of the colour yellow in characters’ costumes, also relate to Malvolio from Twelfth Night. These storytelling features were noted by the audience and reminded us that although this production had been adapted and modernised, this was a portrayal of Shakespeare’s famous work.
I particularly enjoyed these creative elements as well as the use of the projections on both the ceiling and the screen on stage. However, although I could see as an audience member what the production team were aiming to do, it didn’t feel like the intention of the play was clear throughout the performance.
All members of the cast are talented and have real promise and I look forward to seeing what each of them does next but the production as a whole felt quite amateur.
Shakespeare Nation takes place in cities across the United Kingdom including: Blackpool, Bradford, Canterbury and Norwich. You can find out more here: https://www.rsc.org.uk/learn/shakespeare-nation
★★★
