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Theater

Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg

HAMLET

Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, sees his father's ghost. Tormented with loathing and consumed by grief, he must avenge his father's murderer. What he cannot foresee is the destruction that ensues.

Requiring little introduction, Shakespeare's great tragedy is arguably his most influential work. Its rich characterisation, poetic language and exquisite dramatic structure have led to "Hamlet" being analysed from every conceivable angle. Renowned scholars such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Hazlitt have wrestled with the character of the Danish prince, the subtext of the plot and the meaning of the play's famous soliloquy.

The newly knighted Sir Nicholas Hytner had committed some years ago to work with the actor Rory Kinnear on "Hamlet". But the artistic director of the National Theatre decided to wait for the right moment, as London has been treated to recent high profile versions of the play starring David Tennant and Jude Law. Hytner even went on record as saying: "The world and his wife can do Hamlet first."

The time is clearly now ripe for the collaboration to come to fruition, and for Kinnear to take on the role that is generally considered the pinnacle of any young actor's career. It is, however, not Kinnear's first appearance in "Hamlet". In 2004 he played Laertes to Ben Whishaw's acclaimed prince in Trevor Nunn's Old Vic "teenage" production.

Hytner and Kinnear have already worked together, of course. The actor won Olivier and Ian Charleson Awards for his performance as fashionable fop Sir Fopling Flutter in Hytner's 2007 production of Restoration comedy "The Man of Mode". The two also worked together in 2006 on Samuel Adamson's new play Southwark Fair.

Kinnear is joined on stage by Clare Higgins as Gertrude. Her celebrated roles for the National Theatre include Ursula Loyer in Vincent in Brixton, for which she won the second of the three Laurence Olivier Theatre Awards of her career so far.

The Grand Théâtre continues its collaboration with Great Britain's National Theatre, building on the critical acclaim of Waves in 2008:

» Rory Kinnear's Angelo is the embodiment of bloodless, meddling bureaucracy, and the character's eloquent purity is thrillingly caught by Kinnear. This is a performance of precise, highdefinition impact which suggests he could prove a stunning Hamlet at the National Theatre later this year.
The Daily Telegraph
on Rory Kinnear in Measure for Measure

» With astonishing choreography and magnificent performances orchestrated like clockwork, this stunning production convinces audiences with its technical prowess and irresistible charm.
Marc Weinachter, Tageblatt
on Waves