Brilliant performance tonight by Jude Law, who is currently playing Hamlet on Broadway.
The first moment on stage, his presence is felt and attention is drawn to him. The physicality of his performance alone is enough of a reason to see this play. He embodied the weight of the character, but held him with such ease that it made the rest of the cast look stiff. Simply astounding to behold. It was as if he were carrying the burden of what is to be discovered and then carried out in the course of the play. Beautiful!
Tonight marked the first time I've seen Hamlet done professionally. This play lasts near 3 1/2 hours. I had already worked a full day on my feet and gone to class and to top it all off, the only tickets available tonight were standing room and I was in flip-flops... but I loved it! The only times I felt the throbbing in my legs were during the scenes Hamlet was absent. Now, lets just be clear, I am not a Jude Law fan. I think he's pretty and he has done good work but I would not praise his Shakespeare unless it was well deserved. It was truly wonderful!
The rest of the cast seemed to be performing their parts in a way as more of a tribute to the piece written, but Jude Law seemed to be living his character. Had he been absent from the production I would have thought it was a very good technical reading of the brilliant writing of Shakespeare, but he was living and moving in such a way that elevated the reality of his world and brought him to a level that sadly was not reached by his supporting cast. I have a new respect for him as an actor and am grateful for his efforts and commitment to such a part.
If you are in NYC before December 6th (closing date), do what you can to see this play, even if you've been on your feet for 12 hours!
2 comments:
Your calling may be that of a critic!
i felt the same way. jude's performance was so electrifying i couldn't take my eyes off him. his performance is tony worthy. amazing....
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