50th performance of Hamlet (my 13th)
Photo from OG
I had a seat in my favourite section of the theatre tonight - stage right in the circle as Hamlet favours that side more and you can see all his emotion SO clearly! Plus the seat isn't too far above their heads!
I had a lovely drive up to Stratford. As it was half term, the motorways were much clearer than normal.
I was worried that as Saturday's performance was so emotional that tonight's wouldn't be but that worry was totally unfounded as David Tennant put on an AMAZING performance! He seems to have improved 10 fold in the past couple of weeks (maybe because he's only doing performances now and no rehearsals???).
There were a few mishaps tonight (one thing I really like about live theatre!) but they still added to the night.
I think they overfilled Hamlet's glass of wine (and he didn't have a drink of it) so he protected it with his hands whenever Claudius or Gertrude went over to him. As Claudius slapped him on his arms, it did spill and when the attention was away from him, David licked his hand to dry it. He also shook his hand to dry it some more before he touched hands with Ophelia.
The "too, too solid flesh" speech was SO emotional tonight (and long). DT put his face (not his head) on the ground at the first part of the speech.
They had lots of blood on stage tonight or rather Hamlet did in both sections.
It was interesting sitting where I was as I could see the actors walking around the theatre to get to their entrances and exits. At the end of the play both David and Edward ran full pelt along the corridor (almost in a race!) even though DT doesn't come out until the end! Also when the doctor rolls Hamlet off stage, he then immediately walked off leaving DT to get out of the chair himself!
When Hamlet threw the book on the stage tonight it balanced perfect at the front of the stage, half on and half off!
Tonight Hamlet tore up the letters one by one.
During the scene when Hamlet meets Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, DT's hair looked quite a mess although later it looked really good!
It was fascinating watching David Tennant during the player king's speech (rehearsal) tonight as he watches him so intently!
David Tennant coughed once on stage (when the attention wasn't on him) but his voice sounded fine.
The bedroom scene was just amazing tonight! Both of them acted SO well! At the part when Penny holds onto David's waist on the bed, he totally leaned back only held by her! Later in the scene DT got up on the dressing table stool.
Tonight DT said the "blow it to the moon" line as he usually does. (On Saturday evening he'd said it in an aggressive manner)
As Hamlet sent the page to get the recorders he went as though to kick her receding backside!
When Hamlet did the "pickers and stealers" line tonight, one of either his or Rosencrantz's buttons flew off and along the stage.
Tonight Hamlet said the "I beseech you" line in an aggressive manner and not in a funny voice as he usually does.
In the fight scene, in the part when there are people holding both Hamlet and Laertes, Edward dropped his sword and had to pick it up.
When DT came out for his bow by himself, several girls (there were lots of young fangirls there tonight) threw roses onto the stage! He put one between his teeth and then when the rest of the cast came back on stage he made a point of giving both Gertrude and Ophelia a rose - he's such a gentleman!
I went to the stage door and DT came out quite quickly. There was quite a large crowd there tonight (as it's half term). To one person he said "Hello again" and to another "I love you too"!
Afterwards Tom Davey followed me through the churchyard!
I had a lovely drive up to Stratford. As it was half term, the motorways were much clearer than normal.
I was worried that as Saturday's performance was so emotional that tonight's wouldn't be but that worry was totally unfounded as David Tennant put on an AMAZING performance! He seems to have improved 10 fold in the past couple of weeks (maybe because he's only doing performances now and no rehearsals???).
There were a few mishaps tonight (one thing I really like about live theatre!) but they still added to the night.
I think they overfilled Hamlet's glass of wine (and he didn't have a drink of it) so he protected it with his hands whenever Claudius or Gertrude went over to him. As Claudius slapped him on his arms, it did spill and when the attention was away from him, David licked his hand to dry it. He also shook his hand to dry it some more before he touched hands with Ophelia.
The "too, too solid flesh" speech was SO emotional tonight (and long). DT put his face (not his head) on the ground at the first part of the speech.
They had lots of blood on stage tonight or rather Hamlet did in both sections.
It was interesting sitting where I was as I could see the actors walking around the theatre to get to their entrances and exits. At the end of the play both David and Edward ran full pelt along the corridor (almost in a race!) even though DT doesn't come out until the end! Also when the doctor rolls Hamlet off stage, he then immediately walked off leaving DT to get out of the chair himself!
When Hamlet threw the book on the stage tonight it balanced perfect at the front of the stage, half on and half off!
Tonight Hamlet tore up the letters one by one.
During the scene when Hamlet meets Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, DT's hair looked quite a mess although later it looked really good!
It was fascinating watching David Tennant during the player king's speech (rehearsal) tonight as he watches him so intently!
David Tennant coughed once on stage (when the attention wasn't on him) but his voice sounded fine.
The bedroom scene was just amazing tonight! Both of them acted SO well! At the part when Penny holds onto David's waist on the bed, he totally leaned back only held by her! Later in the scene DT got up on the dressing table stool.
Tonight DT said the "blow it to the moon" line as he usually does. (On Saturday evening he'd said it in an aggressive manner)
As Hamlet sent the page to get the recorders he went as though to kick her receding backside!
When Hamlet did the "pickers and stealers" line tonight, one of either his or Rosencrantz's buttons flew off and along the stage.
Tonight Hamlet said the "I beseech you" line in an aggressive manner and not in a funny voice as he usually does.
In the fight scene, in the part when there are people holding both Hamlet and Laertes, Edward dropped his sword and had to pick it up.
When DT came out for his bow by himself, several girls (there were lots of young fangirls there tonight) threw roses onto the stage! He put one between his teeth and then when the rest of the cast came back on stage he made a point of giving both Gertrude and Ophelia a rose - he's such a gentleman!
I went to the stage door and DT came out quite quickly. There was quite a large crowd there tonight (as it's half term). To one person he said "Hello again" and to another "I love you too"!
Afterwards Tom Davey followed me through the churchyard!
Next performance for me: Hamlet on Thursday (30th)
