Talking Hamlet | Actors discuss playing Shakespeare's Dane

Today | Hamlet

David Tennant's performance as Hamlet under review.

CHANNEL | Radio 4

FIRST BROADCAST | 06 August 2008

DURATION | 4 minutes 58 seconds

FIRSTBROADCAST

2008

Synopsis

In this item from a longer programme, Evan Davis hears from theatre critic Michael Billington on the Royal Shakespeare Company's new production of 'Hamlet', starring 'Doctor Who' actor David Tennant. They are joined by Simon Russell Beale, who played Hamlet in 2000, to discuss the merits of actors who are known for their TV work venturing onto the stage.

Did you know?

As the star of TV science-fiction series 'Doctor Who', David Tennant met William Shakespeare (played by Dean Lennox Kelly) and helped him defeat a coven of alien witches. The 2007 episode, called 'The Shakespeare Code', also saw the Doctor casually drop into conversation a number of quotes that Shakespeare ended up using in his work (as well as a couple from Dylan Thomas and JK Rowling that he didn't).

Contributors

Evan Davis
Presenter
Michael Billington
Contributor
Simon Russell Beale
Contributor
David Tennant
Subject of programme

Associated subjects

Actors and Performers | Theatre

More like this...

John Gielgud

Hamlet: The Actor's View

BROADCAST 1954
26 MINUTES

John Gielgud reflects on a 25-year association with the part.

Peter O'Toole.

Monitor | Prince of Denmark

BROADCAST 1963
24 MINUTES

Huw Wheldon chairs a discussion on 'Hamlet'.

David Warner

Perspective | David Warner

BROADCAST 1966
8 MINUTES

David Warner talks about being the youngest professional Hamlet.

Jonathan Miller

The Arts This Week | Jonathan Miller

BROADCAST 1970
6 MINUTES

Jonathan Miller analyses his new production of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.

Derek Jacobi as Hamlet.

Prefaces to Shakespeare | Hamlet

BROADCAST 1980
21 MINUTES

A personal view of the role by Derek Jacobi.

Edward Fox

Round Midnight | Edward Fox

BROADCAST 1982
7 MINUTES

Edward Fox on playing the Prince of Denmark.

Kenneth Branagh

Role Play | Hamlet

BROADCAST 1996
23 MINUTES

Kenneth Branagh and Michael Pennington discuss playing Hamlet.

David Tennant

Today | Hamlet

BROADCAST 2008
5 MINUTES

David Tennant's performance as Hamlet under review.

bbc.co.uk navigation

BBC © 2013 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.