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Jude Law's Hamlet Opens on Broadway
By Kenneth Jones
06 Oct 2009
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Peter Eyre and Jude Law in Hamlet
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| photo by Johan Persson | Donmar Warehouse's dark and wintry production of Hamlet — directed by Michael Grandage and starring Jude Law as the Prince of Denmark — opens on Broadway Oct. 6 after previews from Sept. 12.
The staging, on designer Christopher Oram's set that seems to be made out of black volcanic rock, plays the Broadhurst Theatre following recent engagements in London (where the play was first seen, circa 1600) and Kronberg Castle in Elsinore, the town in eastern Denmark, where the play is set. The Broadway cast features members of the London and Elsinore casts.
Law, widely known for his film roles in "Alfie" and "The Talented Mr. Ripley," starred in both earlier runs. He hasn't been on Broadway since 1995, when he was Tony Award-nominated for his role in Indiscretions.
Hamlet will play a limited 12-week engagement, to Dec. 6.
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Arielle Tepper Madover and the Donmar Warehouse are the producers, with Matthew Byam Shaw, Scott M. Delman, Stephanie P. McClelland, Neal Street Productions/Carl Moellenberg, Ruth Hendel/Barbara Whitman, Philip Morgaman/Frankie J. Grande.
Law is joined by the Donmar Theatre company of actors from London and Elsinore: Ross Armstrong (Cornelius), Harry Attwell (Guildenstern), Ron Cook (Polonius, 1st Gravedigger), Ian Drysdale (Osric), Peter Eyre (Ghost of Hamlet's Father, Player King), Jenny Funnell (Player Queen), Michael Hadley (Barnardo, Priest, Captain), Colin Haigh (Member of the Court), Sean Jackson (Reynaldo), Geraldine James (Gertrude), Gwilym Lee (Laertes), James Le Feuvre (Member of the Court), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Ophelia), John MacMillan (Rosencrantz), Kevin R. McNally (Claudius), Henry Pettigrew (Marcellus, 3rd Player, 2nd Gravedigger), Matt Ryan (Horatio), Alan Turkington (Francisco, Fortinbras, 4th Player) and Faye Winter (Member of the Court).
For the record, new to the company for the Elsinore run were Ross Armstrong, 1990 Tony Award nominee Geraldine James and Michael Hadley. On Broadway, the company of Hamlet is appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association.
Here's how the classic is billed by the producers: "In Shakespeare’s definitive tragedy, the King of Denmark is dead. Consumed with grief, Prince Hamlet (Jude Law) determines to avenge his father's death with devastating consequences for his family and the kingdom."
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Jude Law in Hamlet
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| photo by Johan Persson |
The production is designed (set and costumes) by Christopher Oram (who clothes the characters in gray and black), with lighting design by Neil Austin. Composer and sound designer is Adam Cork. Frank Lombardi is production stage manager.
Hamlet played Wyndham's Theatre in London's West End, where it completed a sold-out run on Aug. 22. It then traveled to Kronberg Castle, Elsinore, for a sold-out run from Aug. 25-30.
Law's other theatre credits include Les Parents Terribles (National Theatre), Dr. Faustus, 'Tis Pity She's a Whore (Young Vic) and Death of a Salesman (West Yorkshire Playhouse). Upcoming films include Dr. Watson in Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes," being released on Dec. 25, and Tony in Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus."
His film credits include "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (BAFTA Film Award), "Wilde" (Evening Standard British Film Award), "Cold Mountain," "Road to Perdition," "Closer," "Alfie," "The Aviator" and "Sleuth," among others.
Michael Grandage, artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse, made his Broadway debut with the Tony Award-winning production of Frost/Nixon. He originally staged Hamlet for the Donmar's West End season at Wyndham's Theatre. His credits also include Madame De Sade, Twelfth Night and Ivanov. His other Donmar credits include The Chalk Garden,
Othello, John Gabriel Borkman, Don Juan in Soho, Frost/Nixon (also West End), The Cut, The Wild Duck, Guys and Dolls, Grand Hotel, Henry IV, After Miss Julie, Caligula and Passion by Peter Nichols. Other West End work includes Evita. In the fall, he directs the world premiere of John Logan's Red at the Donmar.
The Broadhurst Theatre is at 235 West 44th Street.
Hamlet performances are Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday at 2 PM and 7:30 PM, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 2 PM and 8 PM, Sunday at 3 PM.
Tickets ($116.50-$25) are available through Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com.
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More than 100 tickets priced at $25 will be available at every performance through Telecharge.com and the Broadhurst Theatre box office.
Visit www.HamletBroadway.com.
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Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Jude Law in Hamlet
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| photo by Johan Persson |
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