Hamlet @ Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

Review by Martin Poile | 29 Sep 2014

In one of 2014’s most anticipated productions, Shakespeare’s classic tragedy is given new life by the inspired casting decision of a female Hamlet, expertly portrayed by Maxine Peake.

Hamlet, of course, is a work that demands no introduction. Its reputation is preceded by scholarly debate, cultural taglines and, often, a sense of unease from those to whom Shakespeare is not immediately appealing. However, Sarah Frankcom’s brilliant direction unwittingly eases the audience into a story that combines all that is best about Shakespeare’s language with a selection of welcome twists.

The omission of the play’s political context, far from being a hindrance, increases the human connection with the characters, who are embroiled only in their own domestic affairs and vulnerably exposed by the round set.

The decision to reverse many of the genders in the play is the source of this production’s greatest success. Maxine Peake delivers an assured and impassioned performance, regularly beating her chest in rage or seizing moments of unlikely comedy through her nimble physicality. Polonia replaces Polonius, with Gillian Bevan’s performance seeming as natural to the play as if Shakespeare had intended it himself.

Lee Curran’s lighting design – an eerie set of suspended lightbulbs – is particularly impressive. They flicker and buzz to convey Hamlet’s father’s ghost, before descending and being given body and voice by the expertly tortured John Shrapnel.

This bold and daring production is definitely not one to be missed, its undercurrents of feminine zeal breathing new life into a seminal text.

Runs until 25 Oct