23 September 1992
Photo courtesy Claire's
Picture Page
 |
amlet is not generally known for his sunny optimism, but he has rarely appeared as deeply depressed as in Alan Rickman's riveting portrayal. Sunk into doom and inactivity, when he longs for death you know that he really means it. Quite the wrong man to be saddled with the task of taking on his father's revenge he periodically places his hands on his temples as though to try and hold himself together as his vision of the a world cracks apart. Riven with self-disgust he futilely struggles to whip himself into action with accusations of cowardice. But even this is nothing to the hollow emptiness of the broken man also returns to Denmark from his trip to England with the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern on his conscience. |
When Rickman is on his own, the text illluminated
and the space hums with energy. Elsewhere Robert Sturua's production is
deeply disappointing a protracted plod through the court of Denmark's misfortunes,
depicted in Giorgi Michishvili's set as a metallic prison. Crucial moments
are muddied and even the players look like a group of disadvantaged refugees
in need of shelter. It is unfair of Hamlet to accuse Claudius and Gertrude
of throwing loud parties; the couple have never looked less like living
it up. Its an autocratic state, sullied by Claudius' murder of his brother,
it is the women who suffer most; Geraldine McEwan's Gertrude played in her
husky, light comedy voice, is a silly society woman who longs for her son's
approval and who is finally driven as mad as Ophelia. Michael Byrne's scheming,
unfunny Polonius acts suspiciously. as though he knows more than he should
about the last King's death and is biding his time before using the information
to his own advantage placing the crown on son Laertes' head as though trying
it on for size.Throughout, Rickman appears to have had ten weeks'
rehearsal as opposed to everybody else's fortnight. It is his misfortune
to be asked to play the role in his forties, inadequately supported in a
commercial production when he should have played it at the RSC
many years ago. Rickman groupies are in for a tough evening.
Back to: