rOcKS @ 'Hamlet'

I saw three shows in the past three days. The first (SUPERIOR DONUTS) was mediocre, the second (AFTER MISS JULIE) was a step below mediocrity, and the third (HAMLET) is a complete and utter bore.

At least in JULIE and DONUTS I wasn't bored out of my mind the way I was tonight at the Broadhurst.

There are some moments of beauty (particularly the snow/to be or not to be scene) and stretches of the production that work (mainly at the top of act two) but these are fleeting and are bogged down by an otherwise lumbering bore of a production. The direction is totally hackneyed. It's basically that stark, dreary, ominous tone that worked better in EQUUS and MARY STUART (although I didn't totally love either of those productions, either) and it brings nothing fresh to the play. There is nothing about this HAMLET that screams originality or freshness and that is echoed in the totally insipid direction by Michael Grandage.

The performances are all pretty much just passable. The girl who plays Ofelia is really not very good and the Claudius, Kevin R. McNally, reminded me of Elton John with his whole look when he stepped onstage. Anyone...?

The only reason to see this production is for Jude Law. He goes above and beyond what he has to do and turns in quite a fantastic performance. If it weren't for him, this would have been a complete misfire. I don't know if he's worth sitting through the nearly three hour long production for but he's very good.

The sets, lighting, and costumes were all nice but felt like MARY STUART ripoffs.

I just can't express how uninvolving and boring this HAMLET is. I guess the fault is with Grandage, who directs the play at a deadly pace and breathes no new life into it. Skip it unless you absolutely love Jude Law.

* out of ****

With SUPERIOR DONUTS being a disappointment for me, AFTER MISS JULIE totally underwhelming my already low expectations, and HAMLET boring me to tears, I hope this isn't an indication of the season ahead.

Updated On: 9/20/09 at 12:20 AM

I agree with everything you said.

It's from--bow your head--London so Brantley will jizz himself.

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Posted this on the other thread but figured I would put it here too.

I saw the show last night as well, and while I wouldn't call it AMAZING (the direction is great in a few parts and REALLY bad in others) some of the acting is great, and Jude Law is giving an INCREDIBLE performance (I was expecting him to be the weak link).

I suggest this show for anyone who wants to see a great example of a star performance, but go in knowing that the production, while beautiful, is not the best Hamlet in the world.

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"DrunkChita, maybe you should actually see all of these shows before passing judgement?"

Am I really being judged again for this? I never said I thought these shows were boring. These statements were generalizing. You may have noticed in my post I said the following:


"Burn The Floor- It was mainly a disappointment to all Theater fans INCLUDING MYSELF (Meaning I saw it).

Bye Bye Birdie- In general most people hated it, also INCLUDING MYSELF (Again, meaning I saw it).

A Steady Rain- Although and All star cast, MOST have come back bored. (Most people have come backed bored)

Superior Donuts- Seems to be a let down, I was really excited about it but I'm being turned away from the so-so REVIEWS. (I'm not judging it I just said that most of the reviews so far have been So-So)

The Royal Family- ACCORDING to some it's "The Royal Bore" (I never said I thought it was a "Royal Bore"

Hamlet- Judging from this review and many OTHERS another bore with a standout lead. (Other's not mine, just a general statement).

After Miss Julie- Also REPORTED as dreadfully boring. (People have come back saying that) "

Wow. I'm shocked by this review, as HALMET was the best show I've seen all season. I thought it was one of the fastest 3 hours and 15 minutes in recent memory. Loved Jude Law and the rest of the cast, and the audience at the first preview seemed to love it as well. I hope it gets very positive reviews.

Honestly, the posters on this board are so predictable. Except for maybe AUGUST, there's not been a single play that hasn't criticized by most/all for being "boring" or "pointless" or "mediocre." Honestly, some days I think you all just want revivals of musicals.

When GOD OF CARNAGE first started previews, I remember scores of posters coming back with "it was okay." A STEADY RAIN boring? Are you kidding? SUPERIOR DONUTS is delightful and charming, but you all brand it "mediocre" because it isn't exciting like AUGUST?

Don't get me wrong, y'all are wrong about musicals frequently too (don't think I forget the ecstatic raves on 9 TO 5), but I always know exactly which posters to completely disregard when it comes to plays. You all seem to bore easily when actors are talking rather than singing.

so many people thought exit the king was boring but brantley and i both thought it was incredible so.....

MiracleElixir, I also have to disagree. I have loved many of the plays. I adored Norman Conquests, and I like God of Carnage very much (I'm too young to really appreciate it), I LOVED August: Osage County, I'm one of the few that actually liked Blithe Spirit (Didn't it get sort of a mediocre reviews?), and I also loved Boeing Boeing, but I did find Exit The King to be painfully boring.


And ljay889, you obviously don't get the point of generalizations. I'm saying once again that judging by most of the feedback on many of the currently open productions this isn't a great season so far.

That was your best come back? You should try working on that a little more, get back to me later.