Exploring Shakespeare

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Scenes from the producion

Watch staged scenes accompanied by video interviews which explain the action and staging choices. Find out more about the production by exploring the different ideas.

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Director interview - Michael Boyd

Michael talks about this first encounter with Shakespeare in a comic and how this influenced his view of Hamlet as an adventurous, exciting play. Explore the microsite for more from Michael.

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Designer interview - Tom Piper

Tom discusses how he and Michael use evidence in the text to develop the costumes for this production. Explore the microsite for more from Tom.

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Design photo gallery

View Tom Piper's model box designs for the 2004 production.

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Interview - Toby Stevens (Hamlet)

Toby talks about figuring out what Hamlet is trying to say and the difficulty of an audience are familiar with what happens.

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Interview - Sian Thomas (Gertrude)

Sian discusses the challenge of playing Gertrude. She has many decisions but few lines - Sian is working hard to understand Gertrude's choices.

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Interview - Prof. Kiernan Ryan

Ryan, Professor of English, discusses the problem of Hamlet as a revenge tragedy. Follow the links for more from Ryan on Hamlet as a hero.

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Teachers' notes

Download printable notes with ideas for exploring the plot and ideas in Hamlet with your Drama or English students.

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RSC production 2004

Michael Boyd directed this production of Hamlet with Toby Stephens in the title role. Michael sees Hamlet as a dangerous and exciting play - a thriller with the same kind of gothic allure as Batman.

The play was set in England, in a "dark, bloody Renaissance". The curved back wall of Tom Piper's black set had doors for eavesdropping and actors were able to enter from the auditorium using a metal ramp.

Michael extended the rehearsal period so the ensemble cast were able to explore their roles as fully as possible, creating strong rather than introspective characters.