© Marc Brenner
Headlines have accompanied every step of the long, pandemic-delayed run-up to the opening of this production of
Hamlet. The main one was that at the age of 82, Ian McKellen was about to become the oldest Prince of Denmark the UK has ever seen. He was doing so in a production that was age, colour and gender blind, with Francesca Annis, once McKellen s Juliet, now cast as the ghost of Hamlet s father and an Ophelia in the shape 20-something Alis Wyn Davies. So far, so intriguing.
Then bad news began to break. Steven Berkoff, who was due to play Polonius, left the production as had Emmanuella Cole, cast as Laertes, his son. She had complained about his behaviour to the actors union Equity. McKellen was under strain and even in tears – claims hotly denied.
Ian McKellen makes long-awaited return as Hamlet in age-blind interpretation
theboltonnews.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theboltonnews.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Hamlet: Sir Ian McKellen s age-blind prince divides critics
bbc.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bbc.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.