These three actors played Hamlet. Now they’re playing actors in Hamlet rehab

‘I’ve done other roles where I’ve been far more exhausted or taxed, but Hamlet makes you feel alive in ways other plays don’t,’ says Toby Schmitz, right, with Brendan Cowell, left, and Ewen Leslie from Hamlet Camp. Photograph: Brook Rushton

A few minutes into this interview, I realise I am barking up the wrong tree. I had the idea that Hamlet Camp, a new work premiering at Carriageworks in Sydney written by and starring three notable Australian ex-Hamlets – Brendan Cowell, Ewen Leslie and Toby Schmitz – was going to be one of those chummy, anecdote-based affairs. Three good pals, sitting on stools, jawing about playing the Dane. Proper luvvy actor stuff.

But 10 minutes into our chat, Cowell pipes up: “It’s a play. You know that, right?”