Image Credit: PBSThe Doctor as Hamlet! Captain Picard as Claudius! Get your nerdgasm out of my chocolate and peanut-butter, etc. This modern-dress version started in 2008 as a Royal Shakespeare Company stage production, and then a TV adaptation aired on the BBC last year. It makes its stateside debut on PBS tonight as part of the Great Performances series, and I for one am completely delighted by the irony of Tivoing this while watching, oh, Top Model or something. It’ll also be available in its entirety free online at on the Great Performances site after it airs. You’re welcome, English teachers!
If there’s something more dead-on than that six-pack t-shirt, I don’t know what it is. Hamlet is literally wearing a costume of masculine strength. Amazing!
Previously:
Klingon Hamlet
Brian Cox and an adorable toddler do Hamlet
a must-watch…..I know someone who actually saw a performance live and loved it.
I had a friend who saw it, too, and she’s still raving about it. Definitely a must-see, and thanks, EW, for letting us know about it!
Thank you for this tip. If I may make a request, it’s really great when EW can direct folks to things that are off the beaten path (e.g., on PBS) that your average person who flops on the couch after a long day at work might not catch. Use your infinite power to broaden horizons!
Q, You took the words right out of my mouth. I might never have noticed this was on tonight were it not for you letting us know Margaret. Much appreciated!
So excited for this!
I’ve been showing clips from my Region 2 DVD of this production all Spring, and it’s gotten raves from students of all ages because the actors make the language accessible without dumbing anything down. Plus, it’s actually funny and it’s got both the Doctor and Jean Luc Picard.
The fact you even mention this is interesting. I fell in love with the play as a child and loved it on film (von Sydow, Richard Chamberlain (surprise) and Olivier) on film. The play, like my other favorite ‘Taming of the Shrew’ continues to stand the test of time if you give it a chance. This should be just as good.
I saw David Tennant live in two RSC productions (Romeo and Juliet and Comedy of Errors) way back in 2001 and he was amazing! I am looking forward to watching this version of Hamlet!
Jealous! I would have loved to see his Romeo. I did managed to watch a video of his Antipholus a the RSC archives recently but obviously, the footage was terrible and nothing like seeing it live.
I have had this marked since my local PBS station’s magazine featured this at the end of LAST MONTH. Been waiting for so long.
Multiple Nerdgasm!
Thanks for the tip!
Ha ha, I also had the strange thought that I should record this and then watch it after Top Model -my second such moment this week as I realized I would have to record Vampire Diaries tomorrow as I’m going to the opera.
Alas, poor idols. Regrets to the jesters of the family modern and the protectors of the law on the isle of Manhattan. Denmark will be dominate this night as two actors of talent great protray the tale that made the bard of Avon great!
Great comment!
Awesome!I’ve been waiting for this to air for months now!!
My DVR’s already programed. Can’t wait!
I’m actually DVRing Modern Family, Cougar Town, and South Park because I’ll be watching this. Hamlet is my personal favorite Shakespeare, and David Tennant and Patrick Stewart are both awesome.
I can’t wait! My DVR has been programmed for days, and my daughter plans to watch with me–mostly for David Tennant, but I figure whatever gets her to watch Shakespeare is a good thing. They just finished “Romeo and Juliet” in school, and she found the language difficult to decipher.
I was lucky enough to see this production on stage. Tennant and Stewart were amazing, and I look forward to seeing the changes that happen with the transition to film.