George Fouracres as Hamlet
(Picture: Johan Persson)It’s levelling up of a kind: this is the first Hamlet I’ve heard use the accent of Shakespeare’s native West Midlands. Yes, I know we can’t know what the bard or his actors sounded like back then, and yes, I know the character is Danish. But George Fouracres’ Black Country intonation adds a sardonic edge to the wit of his mopey indie prince and makes soliloquies like “to be or not to be” sound fresh. He also stresses what an appalling, manipulative git Hamlet is.
This arresting interpretation sits in a baggy and often slapdash production by Sean Holmes, spattered with anachronisms (“F*** you, Fortinbras!”), audience interaction, bizarre edits and snatches of Smiths songs. I’m guessing the aim is to capture the raucous, ungoverned atmosphere of an Elizabethan playhouse, but the result is incoherent. And over three hours long.
