theguardian.com
RSC's Hamlet: A Cruise Ship Reimagining
The Royal Shakespeare Company's new Hamlet, directed by Rupert Goold, uniquely takes place entirely on a cruise ship, reimagining Elsinore as a vessel and impacting dialogue and staging, while signaling a trend in modern Shakespearean adaptations.
- How does the cruise ship setting affect the play's dialogue, staging, and thematic exploration?
- Goold's unconventional approach cleverly adapts the play's coastal elements, using the ship setting to highlight themes of voyage, fate, and isolation. The decision to stage the entire play within one night, signaled by a digital clock, further intensifies the atmosphere and underscores Hamlet's internal conflict. This innovative interpretation, though potentially divisive among purists, demonstrates the RSC's commitment to creative reinterpretations of classic works.
- What is the central concept driving the RSC's new Hamlet production, and what are its immediate implications for the play's interpretation?
- The Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) new Hamlet production, directed by Rupert Goold, is set entirely on a Royal Yacht Scandinavia, reimagining Elsinore as a cruise ship during Claudius and Gertrude's honeymoon. This unique setting influences dialogue, with words like "chamber" changed to "cabin" and "earth" to "sea," and impacts the staging, notably Gertrude's death, which occurs by falling overboard.
- What are the potential long-term implications of this production's innovative approach for future Shakespearean adaptations and audience engagement?
- This production's success suggests a trend towards inventive stagings of Shakespeare, pushing creative boundaries within economic constraints. The RSC's upcoming Shakespeare-Radiohead mashup hints at a future where classical works are reimagined through contemporary lenses, potentially attracting new audiences while challenging traditional interpretations. The integration of technology, like the digital clock, shows potential for future productions to use innovative tech to enhance storytelling.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing of the review is overwhelmingly positive, focusing on the innovative aspects of the production and the strong performances. While acknowledging potential criticism from traditionalists, this is presented as a minor caveat rather than a balanced consideration of opposing viewpoints. The emphasis on the unique 'sea' setting and the director's bold choices shapes the narrative to favor a positive interpretation. The headline (not provided, but implied by the overall tone) would likely highlight the originality of the production.
Language Bias
The language used is generally positive and enthusiastic, using words like "bold," "vivid," "intelligent," and "must-see." While this enthusiasm is infectious, it leans toward a promotional tone rather than strict objectivity. The use of phrases like "student-cool" and "alternative-comedian vibe" to describe Hamlet's portrayal inject subjective interpretations into the review. More neutral phrasing would enhance objectivity. Words like "haunting" (Gertrude's speech) are also loaded terms that add a subjective layer.
Bias by Omission
The review focuses heavily on the production's unique setting and performances, potentially overlooking other aspects of the play's interpretation or staging that might be relevant to a complete critical assessment. The omission of details about the costumes, lighting design (beyond mentioning the video design and set design), and sound design could limit the reader's overall understanding of the production's artistic choices. There is no mention of the music used in the production, which could significantly impact the overall experience. While the limited scope is understandable in a review, these omissions prevent a fully comprehensive analysis.
False Dichotomy
The review presents a somewhat false dichotomy by framing the choice of setting as a crucial element that either justifies or undermines the production. While it acknowledges potential criticisms from traditionalists, it doesn't fully explore the nuances of how a modern setting can enhance or detract from Shakespeare's work. The choice is presented as a binary decision (good or bad) rather than allowing for a spectrum of possibilities.