The Shakespeare Buzz

I can’t remember a time when there was this much excitement about Shakespeare. The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon has been packed to the rafters night after night since David Tennant opened as Hamlet in July. It’s nearly impossible to get tickets, and the few that are available are changing hands for hundreds of pounds on eBay.

Although the play has opened to well-deserved critical acclaim, something more important is happening. The combination of David Tennant (from Doctor Who) and Patrick Stewart (from Star Trek) is attracting people to Shakespeare for the first time.

I took time out to speak with the lucky few who managed to get tickets for the opening week (my disgruntled self not included), and found adults visiting the theater for the first time and Shakespeare-hating teenagers enthusing about the show.

The RSC has created a momentous event by wisely casting two of the UK’s leading actors in Shakespeare’s longest play. Something fantastic is happening – I just hope that the scuffles between Doctor Who and Star Trek fans don’t get out of control.

Have you seen the show? Has it changed your mind about Shakespeare, or do you just think the RSC is full of ardent sci-fi fans? What’s your take?