A2 English Literature pupils enjoyed an inspiring trip to the National Theatre to see the latest sell-out production of Hamlet, starring Hiran Abeysekera in the title role and Francesca Mills as Ophelia.
Accompanied by Mr Belassie, the group were given exclusive backstage access ahead of the performance, hosted by cast member Ryan Ellsworth, who plays the Ghost, the Player King and the Gravedigger. He spoke to the pupils about performing Shakespeare on a major stage, the demands of sustaining such a complex role, and the creative process behind this bold new interpretation.
The production itself proved a powerful extension of the A2 pupils’ study of the play. Abeysekera’s Hamlet offered a compelling blend of wit, intensity and emotional vulnerability, while Mills’s Ophelia delivered a strikingly nuanced and affecting performance. Innovative staging, sound and lighting choices provided rich material for discussion of directorial intention and modern approaches to Shakespeare.
The journey home was filled with lively debate about character motivation, grief, madness and morality in the play, evidence of how valuable live theatre is in deepening critical understanding.
