RSC Hamlet- 2025 Review

'It's been a long time coming...' but it's been awhile since the RSC has done a production of Hamlet, and they've gone a lil Hamlet crazy this season, it has to be said. With 'Hamlet Hail to the Thief' opening later this year, as well as a touring version of this production announced for 2026, there's a lot rotten in the state of Denmark happening in Stratford this year. 

This production, directed by Rupert Goold, was absolutely fantastic. Set on the Danish Royal Yacht,'The Elsinore,' which from the start featured eerie Titanic-like vibes, this production was a spectacle from start to finish. Es Devlin's set puts you right on the deck of this doomed ship, with incredible trap door/hatches all across it to truly simulate the action on the deck of a ship. Probably the coolest part of the whole show was how the boat tipped and moved as if sailing on the waves. The finale was striking and incredible, with a true simulated sinking of the ship Titanic-style, with company members literally sliding overboard and into the depths. The lighting design by Jack Knowles was gorgeous, as was Adam Cork's Dynasty-reminiscent composition and sound design. With a costume design by Evie Gurney straight out of the 1910's, it was really difficult to not feel as if this was actually set on the Titanic. Overall, I really loved this concept, and the execution was simply magical. 

Unfortunately Luke Thallon was out the day that I went to see the show, so I had the privilege of seeing Lewis Shepherd in the role of Hamlet. He was wonderful in the role, really lived in the character. Nia Towle was a lovely Ophelia, her mad scenes were so fresh, and I really enjoyed her interpretation. Nancy Carroll was great as Gertrude, but it felt like a lot was cut from her role. I was really excited to see Jared Harris as Claudius, and I thought he was wonderful and carried the role with ruthlessness and power. Anton Lesser as the Ghost/Player King was one of my favorite parts. He was so engaging and interesting to watch. I also loved the cliche American accents of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, I found it quite funny. 

I adored this production, it will be one of my favorite Hamlet's for a loooong time to come. Everything from the concept to the execution was just brilliant. It was a long one, even though hefty cuts were made to the text, and some rearranging of speeches was done. Specifically, 'To be, or not to be.' This one was quite controversial, as it was trimmed significantly and moved to an entirely different moment in the show. Used as a device to end the first act, it did carry great dramatic effect, but it just wasn't my favorite choice. I understand the urge to do that, as it's one of the most, if not the most, famous speeches in English literature, but Shakespeare didn't write it with that in mind, he wrote with narrative flow and intent. I do think it should have been left where it fits in the text and with most of its poetic integrity intact. All of that being said, it did make for a wonderfully dramatic and dark moment and a great way to end act 1 with a bang. Due to how much of the text was cut throughout the play, it was difficult at times to tell if certain actors were going blank, or if the text was cut like that intentionally, and I did find that a bit distracting. Perhaps my favorite directorial detail (aside from the concept as a whole and the finale) was how between scenes there was a beeping/ticking sound, and red clocks would flash on the sides with the time of night, serving as a countdown towards the doom of the end. I loved it. The tone was just perfect. 

Rating : 5/5 Stars