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Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar
GERTRUDE, QUEEN OF DENMARK
Lion and Unicorn Theatre
WHO is Gertrude and what were the real reasons behind her marriage to Claudius? What happens in Elsimore, other than Hamlet mourning his father?
Act Provocateur’s latest production explores questions raised by Shakespeare’s original text through a network of familiar and unfamiliar characters. We meet Hamlet’s sister Gudrun (Lucinda Westcar), a sensible abbess, Gertrude’s best friend and advisor Margareta and Yorick, son of the former court jester.
Margareta’s world crumbles when her husband Polonius is killed by Hamlet and her daughter Ophelia (Claira Parr) tragically drowns. Fortinbras, king of Norway (Fergus Rees) is summoned by Gertrude (Gillian Pittaway) and Gudrun, who want to maintain peace between the two countries.
Sarah Lawson’s exploration “behind the scenes” is promising, yet the play raises more questions than it answers. One wonders if Hamlet (Corin Rhys Jones) shouldn’t be more upset by his father’s death, as this is often a pivotal emotion for the proceedings. Gertrude seems to lack persuasion and often appears almost devoid of emotion. Whether these character traits are deliberate reinterpretations is difficult to tell. Claudius (George Xander) entering the stage wearing a
T-shirt with “King” on it, while the other characters are dressed in period costumes, is a rather disruptive attempt at humour.
Nevertheless, Gertrude is an interesting if flawed hypothesis for Shakespeare dons, but those less familiar with the source text should revise their classics – or the end will leave you a little bereft.
Until October 21
020 7485 9897
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