Review by Mark at Nottingham's Theatre Royal
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.
The Royal Shakespeare Company sets sail on a National tour of their smash-hit production of Hamlet. This all at sea production is a fresh, revitalising re-invention that reimagines the Bard's classic revenge drama with a cinematic, nautical intensity that feels both classic and startlingly modern.
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| The cast of Hamlet. Photo by Marc Brenner. |
Under the sharp eye of Rupert Goold and revival director Sophie Drake, this production transforms Elsinore into a 1912-era ocean liner similar to that of the infamous Titanic. This creative choice is a stroke of genius. Placing the action on board a ship means that everything becomes inescapable. There truly is nowhere for the characters to hide as the tension builds.
Another clever creative choice is to condense the action down; the drama here plays out over mere hours. The time flashes up between scenes to remind the audience just how little time has passed. It truly is an action-packed couple of hours.
Es Devlin's set sees a sloped stage featuring the industrial, metallic textures you'd expect from a vessel like this. The sharp raking deck creates a literal and figurative imbalance that the characters must navigate. Jack Knowles's lighting is often dark and cold, as the harshness of the reality everyone faces comes to the fore. The most startling piece of design is Akhila Krishnan's video design, the constant churning waves and oceanic depths add a haunting, psychological layer, further mirroring the unravelling of the character's minds.
At the heart of the production is an outstanding Ralph Davis in the title role. Ralph gives a career-defining performance that strips away the dusty clichés often associated with the Prince of Denmark. His Hamlet is mercurial, raw, and dangerously witty. He navigates the character’s descent with a physical energy that is astonishing to watch. One moment, he is pulling at the threads of his fractured family with sardonic bite; the next, he is a man collapsing under the weight of an impossible crisis of conscience. Davis makes the language feel conversational and urgent, ensuring every soliloquy hits with the force of a tidal wave.
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| Ralph Davis as Hamlet. Photo by Marc Brenner. |
In a magnificent company, Georgia-Mae Myers is quietly heartbreaking as Ophelia; her descent is rendered more tragic in the isolation of the ship. Richard Cant gives a pitch-perfect, nuanced Polonius; he highlights the stage in every moment. Poppy Miller's Gertrude shines in the second act when the devastation of the consequences starts to play out. Raymond Coulthard's Claudius anchors the production with a toxic energy that befits the role superbly.
The RSC’s Hamlet is a visual and emotional triumph. Rarely does a production fire on all cylinders like this. This isn't just a staging of the play; it is an atmospheric triumph. The cast and creatives have ensured that every beat of this revival hits with maximum impact. Whether you are a lifelong fan of the Bard or a first-time theatregoer, this is a theatrical voyage you cannot afford to miss.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hamlet plays at Nottingham's Theatre Royal until Saturday 21st March 2026. For tickets and further information, visit https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/rsc-hamlet-9qn5.
Hamlet tours visiting Blackpool, Newcastle, York and Canterbury. For tour dates and venues visit https://www.rsc.org.uk/hamlet/tour-dates-venues
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| Poppy Miller (Gertrude) and Raymond Coulthard (Claudius). Photo by Marc Brenner. |
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