49th performance of Hamlet (my 12th)
This was the 12th time that I've seen David Tennant in Hamlet and it was by far the best performance as his intensity was just amazing today!
Unfortunately I didn't get a ticket for this performance when they first went on sale and, as I'm going to most of the weekend performances, I wanted to go to this one too so I even thought about getting up at 5.00am and queuing for returns. I then decided that, as I was already going to Love's Labour's Lost tonight, that I wouldn't attend but by total luck I saw someone advertising a ticket on Gumtree last night! It was advertised for £100 ono but I offered £50 and arranged to meet the seller at the theatre. It wasn't a great seat as it was in the gallery but thankfully it was a brilliant performance! All of Hamlet's soliloquies were delivered perfectly. Afterwards, during the bows, David Tennant looked especially happy so I think he realised what a great performance it was this afternoon.
As I said before DT's acting in this performance was the best I've seen. It seemed as though every scene he was in was intense and played it perfectly. For example he left a long gap between the first and second lines of the "To be or not to be" speech. The only complaint I would have about that speech was that from my seat, I couldn't see his face at the start of the speech as one of the chandeliers obscured it which I found funny!
David Tennant had some problems with the book today! (When I saw Hamlet last weekend, Ophelia dropped the book at the start of the nunnery speech so they left it there.) Today he dropped the book twice when he was with Ophelia and then when he threw the book, it skidded right off the stage and ended up in the aisle by the third row! If you watch DT's eyes you'll see that he watches where it lands so today he got off stage to collect it. He then realised that one of the pages in the book was loose and torn!
Today from my advantage point in the sky, I could definitely see Horatio palm the blood to Hamlet at the end of the sword duel.
Unlike last Saturday, Hamlet didn't put his jacket over his head when he saw the ghost in the bedroom scene.
I saw a few of the actors outside the theatre today. Roderick Smith walked past my car (as usual!) on his way to the theatre. Later, after Hamlet, I collected something from my car and was walking back towards the town centre when I saw Roderick Smith, Tom Davey and someone else (who I think was Keith Osborn but I didn't really look closely) walking in the other direction away from the theatre. Later I passed Tom Davey as he was walking back to the theatre for LLL. (I briefly spoke to him too as we bumped into each other!)
Unfortunately I didn't get a ticket for this performance when they first went on sale and, as I'm going to most of the weekend performances, I wanted to go to this one too so I even thought about getting up at 5.00am and queuing for returns. I then decided that, as I was already going to Love's Labour's Lost tonight, that I wouldn't attend but by total luck I saw someone advertising a ticket on Gumtree last night! It was advertised for £100 ono but I offered £50 and arranged to meet the seller at the theatre. It wasn't a great seat as it was in the gallery but thankfully it was a brilliant performance! All of Hamlet's soliloquies were delivered perfectly. Afterwards, during the bows, David Tennant looked especially happy so I think he realised what a great performance it was this afternoon.
As I said before DT's acting in this performance was the best I've seen. It seemed as though every scene he was in was intense and played it perfectly. For example he left a long gap between the first and second lines of the "To be or not to be" speech. The only complaint I would have about that speech was that from my seat, I couldn't see his face at the start of the speech as one of the chandeliers obscured it which I found funny!
David Tennant had some problems with the book today! (When I saw Hamlet last weekend, Ophelia dropped the book at the start of the nunnery speech so they left it there.) Today he dropped the book twice when he was with Ophelia and then when he threw the book, it skidded right off the stage and ended up in the aisle by the third row! If you watch DT's eyes you'll see that he watches where it lands so today he got off stage to collect it. He then realised that one of the pages in the book was loose and torn!
Today from my advantage point in the sky, I could definitely see Horatio palm the blood to Hamlet at the end of the sword duel.
Unlike last Saturday, Hamlet didn't put his jacket over his head when he saw the ghost in the bedroom scene.
I saw a few of the actors outside the theatre today. Roderick Smith walked past my car (as usual!) on his way to the theatre. Later, after Hamlet, I collected something from my car and was walking back towards the town centre when I saw Roderick Smith, Tom Davey and someone else (who I think was Keith Osborn but I didn't really look closely) walking in the other direction away from the theatre. Later I passed Tom Davey as he was walking back to the theatre for LLL. (I briefly spoke to him too as we bumped into each other!)
I'm so glad that I got that ticket and didn't queue as when I drove past at about 11.00am there were loads of people queuing and the queue for returns stretched out to Southern Lane when I went in at 12.45pm. Inside there were 5 seats free in Row D on stage right. It's such a shame when people don't return them to the RSC.
After Hamlet I went round to the stage door and although they had the barriers out, a RSC lady came out to say that DT would not be coming out to sign which was a pity (especially as he only stays about 2 minutes anyway).
Next performance for me: Love's Labour's Lost tonight!
