Great Performances interviewed the recently-knighted Sir Patrick Stewart about playing the roles of Claudius and the Ghost in the upcoming GP special Hamlet to air on PBS stations nationwide on April 28th at 8 p.m. (check local listings). While in California in January promoting the broadcast, Stewart talked about the process of creating a modern adaptation the play, how the cast created their characters, and what he hopes viewers will take from watching David Tennant and Gregory Doran’s Hamlet. THIRTEEN’s Jitin Hingorani narrates to give a sneak peak at the film.
21 Responses to “Interview with Sir Patrick Stewart”
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“Stewart talked about the process of creating a modern adaptation of the Scottish play..”
Hamlet is not the Scottish Play.
“Macbeth” is the Scottish play, and Mr. Stewart might also have discussed that during the same interview PBS had with him in January. Easy to make the mistake.
By the way, “Macbeth” was also filmed by Illuminations, in conjunction with PBS, and is scheduled to be broadcast later this year (hopefully).
Thanks for posting the interview and other content.
Sir Stewart was in a very successful and critically acclaimed (and very modern) production of the Scottish play on Broadway recently. I believe he was nominated for a Tony. There was a lot of press about it at the time. I have yet to watch the interview above, but I suspect anyone discussing Shakespeare with him would bring that production up.
Katherine is correct. My daughter and I saw that critically acclaimed modern production on Broadway.
Actors know well the curse that accompanies saying the actual title of “The Scottish Play,” so refer to it by reference only.
Either I missed something, or they edited the clip in the past two days. I didn’t hear any references to the Scottish play by either the narrator or Sir Stewart. I’m very excited to see this version when it finally airs. Hamlet was one of my favorite plays from Brit Lit in high school and seeing two of my favorite actors in leading roles is just icing on the proverbial cake.
I watched the entire interview before I posted and there was no reference to ‘Macbeth’, although I had rather hoped there would be. Sir Patrick did go on at length about creating a modern adaptation of ‘Hamlet’ which was very interesting. I therefore assume it was an error by PBS editorial staff. Yes it is an easy mistake to make for the average student – however not one I would expect from PBS. I see now that the error has been corrected.
Just because the play is timeless, it does not follow that all settings are equally effective. The Renaissance setting is the best because its great optimism about man sets Hamlet up for disillusionment. Today it doesn’t work so well. We’re hardened and cynical. We suspect Claudius from the very beginning and are surprised only that Gertrude was not involved.
“We’re sorry, but this video is not available in your region due to rights restrictions.”
Alas, living in Canada I can’t view this video. Nor will I be able to see the film online. Pity really as many Canadians (including my family) support PBS. I can see the show on TV, but the rights for broadcasting on the internet are only for within the States.
In response to Mark: Actually, having seen this production in Stratford, I have to say that the modern dress made me think of the play, and the character of Hamlet, in a whole new way. With the modern dress — especially the scenes where Hamlet (who is, after all a college student) dresses in jeans and tee-shirt — I began to think of him as, for lack of a better term, a modern-day slacker. It gave a whole new perspective to his indecision, his inability to take action. Especially in the scenes with his mother, he is more petulant teenager than classic hero. I found that take refreshing and thought-provoking, and am eager to see if it translated to the screen in the same way.
Katherine, it should be “Sir Patrick.” The usage is Sir followed by first name. Alternatively, it’s “Sir” first last name.
Where is the complete cast list? It was not given in the broadcast, and does not seem to be at the website.
Monica in Canada: You can buy the movie for $20 plus postage. Contact PBS.
I am usually not a fan of Shakespeare in modern setting but this was an excellent production and I was thoroughly involved and absorbed through the entire 3 1/2 hours . As a matter of fact, the intermission had a really jarring effect on me. And I think it was very appropriate and effective set in a modern approach.
David Tennant was marvelous and the entire cast was superior in performance. I’m so glad we got to see this, thanks to PBS!
To Chuck Rogovin: I believe you can access the complete cast list through the Illuminations web site. Click on “Illuminations Blog,” above, and you can find a cast list via that portal.
To Chuck and Carol: I apologize for confusing your two names in my previous post. I was rushing. And to further clarify with Chuck, when you get to the Illuminations site, click on “Blogging the Bard” on the right, which will take you to all the “Hamlet” information.
Yes, it should be “Sir Patrick”–and if I could knight him again for this performance, I would do so. I have watched it thrice–once beginning at some time around midnight–and am more and more enthralled with this production with each viewing. I wasn’t so sure about the videocam intrusion the first time around, but given the perennial argument about whether Hamlet is aware of his observers (among scholars) I thought Tennant’s “NOW–I am alone” (after he’s smashed the camera) was particularly effective, as was his “antic disposition,” almost always. The Player King was wonderful too–as was the entire cast, and the set, and virtually everything about this production. BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO–and if I weren’t a recent victim of our abysmal economy, I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase a copy for my own library. Thank you, WNET, for making it available online! I am swept away . . .
To my mind, the most moving moment of the play was Claudius’ repentance scene. Stewart all but smirked–wrily, the way a man who recognizes the futility of his feigned “apology” would do. I have seen many, many performances of this play, and have never before seen someone handle the role with such expertise. I also liked Ophelia’s weeds, as opposed to the “standard” attempt to include in the bouquet she carries all of the flowers she mentions. The girl is mad–and this helped mightily to emphasize the point.
I can’t say enough about this performance. It is burnt in the tables of my memory . . .
Wow, is every blog conversation on PBS.org such a series of fussbudget corrections of people’s language or simple mistakes, even when the meaning is perfectly obvious? I am sure Katherine is thrilled to have come discuss a play and to have left getting a unrequested lesson in honorary British titles.
To discuss the actual matter at hand: I am very much looking forward to seeing the full version on the internet (alas, no tv for big picture viewing). Stewart is a favorite, of course, and I am curious to see if the style of the language is altered at all for its modern settings. Should be great!
Tennant is amazing. Just amazing. I wish I could have seen his Berowne in “Love’s Labours Lost,” but I don’t think they ever intended to film that one. The transition from stage to film with the same production and cast is definitely tricky and this result is impressive.
Sir Patrick Stewart’s Claudius is the best rendition of the character I’ve ever seen, possibly the best one ever. He also played the role opposite Sir Derek Jacobi’s Hamlet for the BBC in 1971 (another fascinating production), so he has had lots of time with the character. The complexity of Claudius’ emotions and motives here takes him from what could be (and has occasionally been performed as) a mere moustache-twirling villain to a psychologically plausible human being, whom the audience can believe capable of both the murder of his own brother and a profoundly sincere affection for Gertrude. Wow.
Many thanks for the streaming version–I’ll be adding this one to my filmed “Hamlet”s collection ASAP.
I was gobsmacked when I finally discovered this video; I have watched it three times. Having taught high school English for over 30 years and taught and viewed “Hamlet” many times, I thought I knew the play. This production has shown once again the endless depths of Shakespeare’s writing. The film shook up the meanings and poured forth new interpretations that hit me emotionally as I have never been struck before by this play.
Tennant captured all the wit and intelligence of Hamlet, as well as his loneliness and horror at what he must do. Sir Patrick broadened the character of Claudius into a fully realized human being. Both these wonderful actors helped create a play of genuine tragic effect. Bravo to all involved.
I recommend the great commentaries offered by the director and actors. Wow. Thank you, PBS.
Uau !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nu ma asteptam sa se intample asta in vol. 4 . Eu le-am citit doar pe primele 3 pana acum si nu stiu de unde sa iau vol. 4 ?
I was fascinated both by the concept of casting Claudius and the Ghost as the sam actor, and I will say that worked very well here. I was also pleasantly surprised with Ms. Gale performance of Ophelia, whose take is much more assertive than many others I’ve seen. My only complaint would be that in terms of the camera angles, the RSC has a tendency to have their actors address the camera during their monologues, and it is jarring, and feel unnatural to watch. But splendid performances all around, I’d say.