Hamlet -2009- ^new^ ✦ Essential & Simple

The casting of Patrick Stewart as both Claudius and the Ghost of Hamlet’s Father provides a brilliant thematic layer. The Mirror Image

The , directed by Gregory Doran for the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) , stands as one of the most critically acclaimed and visually arresting interpretations of the tragedy in the 21st century. Originally conceived as a highly successful 2008 West End stage production, this screen version brings together the powerhouse pairing of David Tennant as Prince Hamlet and Patrick Stewart as King Claudius (and the Ghost of King Hamlet). hamlet -2009-

The production design features a massive mirror at the back of the stage/set. Why? To emphasize vanity, self-reflection, and the spying eyes of the court. Characters are constantly watching their own reflections, trapped in their own egos. The casting of Patrick Stewart as both Claudius