On Thursday 8 March, the entire cohort of Year 13 English Literature students were fortunate enough to be able to see a very limited run of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of ‘Hamlet’ at the Hackney Empire, directed by Simon Godwin.

Godwin’s version of Hamlet relocated the action of the play from its true setting of Denmark, to a West African dictatorship, with brightly coloured costumes, day-glo lighting, African drummers and swathes of bold print-fabric to complete the set-design. Paapa Essiedu starred as the titular character and managed to capture the angst, despair and madness of the prince with dramatic gusto. 

As part of their English Literature exam, the Year 13 students must refer to the opinions of others on the play, which includes different dramatic interpretations. The play was well received and prompted some insightful discussion which will be extremely helpful in their exam responses. 

Mrs K Mee
English Teacher