Production 2004

Other videos in this series

• Hamlet (2004) - Act 3 Scene 4

  Watch this extract from the production, filmed on stage in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 2004.

  Hamlet, certain of Claudius' guilt after his reaction to The Mousetrap, confronts his mother. He is revolted by her choice of second husband. But why has she made this decision? Is her marriage to Claudius based on sexual attraction or is it a political convenience, assuring stability to the state and her own personal security? And does she have reason to suspect Claudius in connection with her first husband's death?

  Act 3 Scene 4

  Having already killed Polonius who was concealed in Gertrude's room, Hamlet then attacks her. He forces her to look at contrasting images of Claudius and Old Hamlet, likening Claudius to an infection in Old Hamlet's ear, and telling his mother that she can't possibly love Claudius.

  Hamlet - Toby Stephens
  Gertrude - Sian Thomas

  Filmed, edited and produced for the RSC by Cornucopia Productions.

• Tom Piper - Using props

  Designer Tom Piper explains why there's no bed in this scene, and why every prop has to 'earn its place' on the stage.

• Sian Thomas - Does she identify with Gertrude?
  Gertrude is in an extraordinary situation - her husband has mysteriously died and she's married his brother. How can an actor begin to identify with that situation? Sian Thomas, who plays Gertrude, explains how she explored her character.
• Greg Hicks - Comparing Old Hamlet and Claudius

  In the Closet Scene, Hamlet compares his father to Claudius. Greg Hicks, who plays the Ghost of Old Hamlet, explains the differences, and why Hamlet's so disgusted at his mother's choice of new husband.

• Sian Thomas - How much does Gertrude know?

  Actor Sian Thomas wants to create a Gertrude who we can believe. She explains how she needs to understand what Gertrude's thinking even though Shakespeare hasn't given her many lines.