Playing the Dane

Synopsis: In anticipation of his own stage Hamlet in 2011, Michael Sheen looks back at the rich archive of Hamlets from the theatre, cinema and radio archives, starting with Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in 1908 and journeying to the present-day, taking in the interpretations of John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier, Richard Burton, Jonathan Pryce, Kenneth Branagh and David Tennant, as well as female Hamlets, Sarah Bernhardt and Frances de la Tour. Sheen examines the changing political, social and psychological interpretations of the role, from the Edwardian stage through Freud, Modernism and two World Wars, to Thatcherism and New Labour. He explores the challenges of a role that has become a rite-of-passage for leading actors, arguing that Hamlet is the most dangerous play that exists, but that our culture has made it safe. Guest commentators include actor Rory Kinnear, director Sam West and Shakespeare scholar Dr Paul Prescott.
Series: Archive on 4
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Radio
Transmission details: 23 Oct 2010 at 20:00 (Channel: BBC Radio 4)
Duration: 60 mins

Production type: Documentary/Educational/News
Plays: Hamlet
Subjects: Drama
Keywords: actors; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Gender reversal; Hamlet (character)

British Universities Film & Video Council