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Hiran Abeysekera brings a manic, impulsive, boyish energy to Shakespeare’s Hamlet in Robert Hastie’s uneven production. It’s the first I’ve seen that implies the 30-year-old prince has ADHD or some similar disorder. This arguably makes sense of the character’s mood swings, his introspection and inertia, and his complete inability to read a room or recognise others’ emotional needs.
It also leads Abeysekera to gallop through soliloquies and speeches, furiously riding the rhythm of the verse rather than feeling the words. Hastie’s interpretation is full of novel ideas and subtly revelatory touches but feels ponderous and staid overall. As the second show of Indhu Rubasingham’s tenure at the National, it feels like an exploration of artistic intent, rather than a Hamlet for the ages.
