Popnography
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Photo: Getty Images
After a three-month run in London's West End and a few performances in the courtyard of Kronborg Castle near the real-life Elsinore -- it's actually Helsingor -- in Denmark, Hamlet has hit Broadway. The all-British cast has some easily recognizable faces, Kevin R. McNally as the usurper Claudius, whom you might recall from the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, and Ron Cook, most recently seen in BBC's Little Dorrit, as the oblivious Polonius. And, of course, Jude Law, with his turns in the upcoming Sherlock Holmes and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, is the main draw as Hamlet himself.
The story is well-known and so are quite a few of the lines, but this production does not feel dreary and it's not very brooding either. In Polonius's words, it's something of a "tragical-comical" take. Despite being a famous tragedy, many of Shakespeare's wittier lines in the mouths of the actors cause laughter. And you can't help but laugh when Hamlet energetically mimes a crab or apes a gorilla or humps Polonius who he's mistaken for a fishmonger in his feigned madness. Besides the clear and passionate delivery, Law puts in an appropriately theatrical and very physical performance -- not only does he manage to look charming even from the mezzanine, he is certainly no slouch when it comes to acting.
The set is sparse and granite gray recalling a dungeon; the mood of the thing created by strategically beamed white and yellow lights. The costumes are simple, modern and, aptly, either a depressing black or gray. And it's not all fun and games -- there's also shocking violence and raw feeling. Actual gasps are heard when Hamlet hurls Gertrude (Geraldine James), his mother, to the floor and crouches astride her after a spot of murder in her bedchamber (though that may be caused by the Freudian urges). Then there's the famous line -- "Get thee to a nunnery!" -- which Hamlet shouts at Ophelia (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) with enough force to set your ears ringing as she cowers before him. It keeps reverberating even when Hamlet later weeps at her grave while professing love.
As the lights dim on a scene of slaughter, Hamlet is left cradled in the arms of Horatio (Matt Ryan), his "good friend." Draw from that what conclusions you will.
The play's 12-week run at the Broadhurst Theater, 235 W. 44th Street, NYC ends December 6, so you may want to "make haste." For more info, head here.
-- OLGA BAS
Previously > The Laramie Project Epilogue
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
38 Male Celebs Who Did Full Frontal Scenes
November 17 2023 5:18 PM
These are all the celebrities Who came out as LGBTQ+ in 2023
December 31 2023 12:19 PM
29 LGBTQ+ celebs you can follow on OnlyFans
April 18 2024 1:00 PM
26 actors who showed bare ass in movies & TV shows
February 28 2024 1:50 PM
16 times male celebrities had to say they weren't gay
April 17 2024 11:57 AM
21 LGBTQ+ reality dating shows & where to watch them
April 03 2024 4:01 PM
15 Unforgettable Gay Kissing Scenes From TV & Movies
February 14 2024 10:20 AM
14 queens who quit or retired from drag after 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
April 04 2024 12:56 PM
40 steamy celebrity Calvin Klein ads we'll always be thirsty for
January 04 2024 10:54 AM
The 15 Best LGBTQ+ Movies of 2023
December 04 2023 10:32 AM
Watch Now: The Daily
Trending stories from our video partner Advocate Channel.
For more videos and shows go to advocatechannel.com.
Trending stories from our video partner Advocate Channel.
For more videos and shows go to advocatechannel.com.
Latest Stories
Kim Petras just dropped out of upcoming concerts — and here's why
April 24 2024 5:43 PM
Daniel Bedingfield opens up about his sexuality for the first time
April 24 2024 3:34 PM
Meet the 11 hot singles looking for love on BBC's 'I Kissed a Girl'
April 24 2024 2:58 PM
Lily Gladstone starring in queer role in 'The Wedding Banquet' remake
April 24 2024 2:54 PM
Derrick Barry just dropped PIPING backstage tea at 'Drag Race Live'
April 24 2024 12:51 PM
Chappell Roan is recruiting drag artists for her new headlining tour
April 24 2024 12:50 PM
Billie Eilish wants her 'face in a vagina' & we completely understand
April 24 2024 12:37 PM