Hamlet at the National Theatre
Starring Sri Lankan actor Hiran Abeysekera in his biggest role yet, Robert Hastie’s Hamlet pleases audiences with a contemporary production featuring beautiful sets by Ben Stones, an eerie soundscape by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, and a convincing cast.
While setting Shakespeare in the present is hardly novel, this staging is lavish, taking place at what appears to be a large hall at Elsinore featuring a huge painting of the castle itself on the walls. At times, the walls will be removed to reveal another stage within the stage for the Murder of Gonzago or a cemetery for Ophelia’s burial. Costumes, too, are suitably stately and up-market – if occasionally fussy – with the exception, perhaps, of Hamlet’s simpler wardrobe.
Tragedy may still be centre stage in Hastie’s production, but he nevertheless focuses to a larger extent on the comedic aspects of the play, of which there are many. Geoffrey Streatfeild’s Polonius, for instance, emphasises the often ridiculous nature of his character with an astute sense of comedic timing and the absurd; Abeysekera, too, has a keen sense of comedy in his delivery of many of Hamlet’s lines.
But it’s more nuanced for Abeysekera’s Hamlet. His is a specifically mischievous delivery: almost boyish, many of the prince’s soliloquies are performed in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, taking sheer delight in the language. Although he’s still brooding secretly, we see his genuine pleasure at meeting his friends or admiring the players. This particular style means that the sombre moments feel more earned – such as his apology to Laertes (Tom Glenister) or almost murder of Claudius (Alistair Petrie). It’s a potent performance – if occasionally cavalier with the text in dropping the odd line.
The wider cast is similarly proficient. Joe Bolland and Hari Mackinnon as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are suitably ridiculous; Petrie’s Claudius maintains a good mixture of majesty and scheming menace. Francesca Mills’s Ophelia frequently commands the stage with her presence, again balancing a sense of humour with the tragedy of her character.
For all the craft, Hastie’s production takes a largely safe and effective route that works with detail rather than vision, but with such a powerful lead, this hardly matters – Abeysekera’s Hamlet is charming, cheeky and cunning.
Michael Higgs
Photos: Sam Taylor
Hamlet is at the National Theatre from 2nd October until 22nd November 2025. For further information or to book, visit the theatre’s website here.
Watch the trailer for Hamlet at the National Theatre here:
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