^ Actually, he was also in one in 1980, in which he also played Claudius, opposite Derek Jacobi's Hamlet.
This production also had a few Doctor Who connections: in addition to Derek Jacobi, who went on to play Professor Yana in the new series, Claire Bloom (who was just in "The End of Time") played Gertrude, and Ophelia in was Lalla Ward (the second Romana), who filmed this production of Hamlet during the hiatus between seasons 17 and 18 of the original show. Also, Geoffrey Beevers (the Master in "The Keeper of Traken") appeared as one of the Players.
Like all the 1980s BBC Shakespeares, it suffers from its lackluster direction, but Derek Jacobi has been the definitive Hamlet for me ever since I saw it. Patrick Stewart's Claudius is also one of the best performances of the role.This production also had a few Doctor Who connections: in addition to Derek Jacobi, who went on to play Professor Yana in the new series, Claire Bloom (who was just in "The End of Time") played Gertrude, and Ophelia in was Lalla Ward (the second Romana), who filmed this production of Hamlet during the hiatus between seasons 17 and 18 of the original show. Also, Geoffrey Beevers (the Master in "The Keeper of Traken") appeared as one of the Players.
And it's available at Netflix for rental or instant viewing. I'll have to check it out.
^ Actually, he was also in one in 1980, in which he also played Claudius, opposite Derek Jacobi's Hamlet. This production also had a few Doctor Who connections: in addition to Derek Jacobi, who went on to play Professor Yana in the new series, Claire Bloom (who was just in "The End of Time") played Gertrude, and Ophelia in was Lalla Ward (the second Romana), who filmed this production of Hamlet during the hiatus between seasons 17 and 18 of the original show. Also, Geoffrey Beevers (the Master in "The Keeper of Traken") appeared as one of the Players.
As she said:Ah that must of been the one where Stewart is reported to have teased Lalla Ward about doing Sci-Fi not knowing that TNG was only a few years down the track![]()
^ Shame he couldn't have been on it opposite Tennant.
As for teasing about sci-fi appearances, remember Derek Jacobi's appearance on Frasier, as a Shakespearean actor turned star of a sci-fi show, whose return to the theatre was awful? Wonder who that was based on ..., Still, Patrick can't have been too annoyed as he later appeared on the show too (not forgetting Kelsey Grammer's TNG and X-Men appearances).
Absolutely agreed. (Come to think of it, he'd have been a great choice to play Rassilon, had Timothy Dalton not been available.)All these Who cast members doing Hamlet... it makes me realize something...
They have got to get Sir Patrick to appear on Doctor Who!!
I can't wait to see Tennant as Hamlet. And Stewart will be an awesome Claudius! Interesting that he played the same role 30 years ago opposite Derek Jacobi (another ridiculously good actor).
Timothy
To my first, and fairest, Ophelia.
Your friend, Derek.
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