Waiting for Hamlet

Back in the 1980's my wife went to Royal Holloway College in Egham, Surrey where she became aware of the acting talents of Tim Mariott. He rose to prominence in the 1990s playing Gavin in "The Brittas Empire" for 6 years. Sadly, this role killed his career so he spent his working life teaching but with his children grown up he can return to his true love and what he does best (his words). It was this college connection that persuaded us to select "Waiting For Hamlet".

Each year the festival throws up its own accidental connection. Sir Ian McKellen's Hamlet and this show are obvious but we weren't expecting our previous show "Arthur Smith" to contain a wonderfully funny place name based monologue version of "To Be Or Not To Be".

"Waiting For Hamlet" immediately indicates that the play might be a blend of "Waiting For Godot" and Shakespeare's masterpiece; fortunately for us it concentrates on the latter rather than Samuel Beckett's rather tedious piece (other play-goers may disagree with my assessment). Tim Marriott and Nicholas Collett play Hamlet's father (dully named Hamlet) and Yorick (his court jester) as they ponder their future in limbo following their deaths. This is a really interesting premise (as far as I am aware never previously explored) and is brilliantly written by David Vasick. I was a little concerned we may be heading down a slightly pretentious rate but luckily he avoided all the pitfalls. it is funny, moving and intelligent and although a little wordy this merely allows our actors to prove how good they are.

Unlike "Admiral" which I saw at the same space (pardon the pun) the previous day there was a largish sized audience which is good as this is a play that deserves to seen by as many people as possible.

This isn't a new play, winning the International Kenneth Branagh (there's a man who know his "Hamlet") New Drama Writing Award in 2018 and was due to appear here in 2020 until 'you know what' cancelled the festival.

It helps if you know your "Hamlet" but it isn't essential as long as you like good writing and excellent acting. A triumph!

Like a lot of performers who appear in one show when you can tire yourself out doing two - so Tim can also be seen in "Watson; The Final Problem" at The Assembly Rooms at 13.10.