To be or not to be? To be!

Yippee! After all the hassle, heartache and disappointment I finally got to see David Tennant in Hamlet.

After queuing for 4 hours back in September I got great seats (Row C, stalls) for the first performance that he missed and decided to give it a miss then managed to swap my tickets for two to Taming Of The Shrew.

As I've been getting up earlier than usual this week after my Christmas hols in South Africa I decided to try my luck for day seats at The Novello. Now, don't all rush at once but it was easier than I might have imagined - I got there at 9.40 for the 10am sale, most of the queue seemed to be under 25s (there's a daily quota set aside for them) and I got the last two seats together, Row E in the dress circle. It was certainly worth the wait - great modern-dress production, minimal but effective sets, a few nice effects and superb performances all round but especially from Tennant, Patrick Stewart and Oliver Ford-Davies. If anyone's interested there's just three more days to go.

I queued for day tickets yesterday and happily got one! I loved the production, Tennant was a stunning Hamlet :)

Your blood must be solid!
5.30AM in this weather!

Saw the production, I was bowled over: stirring and clear at the same time with Tennant giving a complex, explosive performance, making every line come alive.

Now I will say two words that will strike fear in your heart (they do in mine), but bear with me. There is an online petition (dreaded words) for encouraging the RSC to release a dvd of the production. Yes, I know, online petition is usually the lame expression of fandom absurdities, but I do believe this one has a legitimate reason for existing: it has already received an encouraging response by the RSC and is attracting attention by mainstream media and theatre correspondents in the UK.

If you want to sign, follow the link:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/hamlet-dvd.html

Media coverage in the UK so far:
The Telegraph (one of the broadsheets):
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/dominccavendish/blog/2009/01/19/sign_a_petition_to_get_tennants_hamlet_recorded_for_posterity

Whatsonstage:
http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8831232382233&title=Online+Petition+to+Get+Tennant%27s+Hamlet+on+DVD

Theatre Voice:
http://www.theatrevoice.com/news/?news_ID=1274

Really? That would be fantastic!!! I don't suppose you've heard anything about the production possibly going to NY -- with its British cast intact -- have you?

Updated On: 1/20/09 at 12:25 AM

Many thanks for the info, much appreciated.