Outspoken theatre and opera director Sir Jonathan Miller will no doubt be fuming this week. The RSC’s production of Hamlet starring David Tennant and Patrick Stewart has opened to rave reviews. Show and Stay^® previously reported on Sir Miller’s venomous attack on the use of celebrities in the West End in which he described Tennant as “that man from Doctor Who”

Sir Miller’s strong views on casting celebrities to increase the profile of a show rather than for their abilities as an actor are well known. It seems to me that Sir Miller’s undignified swipe at the RSC’s production of Hamlet had more to do with the failure of his own production to reach London theatres than with a legitimate concern for the state of the West End.

Although I respect Sir Miller’s views on so called “stunt casting” RSC veterans Tennant and Stewart are hardly ex-big brother housemates or temporary Hollywood flavours of the month. Both are experienced Shakespearean actors who won the demanding roles of Hamlet and King Claudius due to their ability and impressive history within the RSC, not because of their fame. It strikes me as a terrible shame that just because this pair of talented actors have found fame on screen as well as stage their earlier accomplishments seem to be overshadowed by their well known sci-fi roles.

How disappointing it is to see such a talented director, responsible for productions such as The Mikado has been reduced to childish whinging in the national press. It’s not as if the RSC have cast a couple of has-been soap stars. Tennant and Stewart are seasoned, respectable actors, RSC veterans and all round talented guys.

Let’s not dwell on the miniscule amount of negative attention this latest incarnation of Hamlet has received. The national press is heaping praise on the performances of Tennant and Stewart describing the production as “an extremely captivating performance” (The Independent). It should not come as a surprise that this production of Hamlet is doing well. I cannot deny that Tennant and Stewarts sci-fi careers are drawing in more than a few audience members but both have impeccable Shakespearean pedigrees. Tennant has played Romeo, Touchstone and Antipholus of Syracuse. Stewart has appeared in no less than six RSC productions in a dizzying variety of roles from Prospero to Othello.

Hopefully those who criticised the so called “stunt casting” of Tennant and Stewart will have the good grace to apologise for their harsh and short-sighted comments. Oh, and one more thing, everyone please feel free to send any spare tickets for this production my way, I refuse to pay £300 on eBay.

Related Posts:
Hamlet at the Courtyard Theatre - Daleks Not Welcome
There Was A Doctor In The House
Shakespeare and Sci-fi

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 7th, 2008 at 10:35 am and is filed under Theatre. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.