Tchaikovsky’s Skull
"Alas! Poor Yorick. I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest," says Hamlet in one of Shakespeare’s most famous scenes. David Tennant, who caused a stir as Hamlet in the four-month run in Stratford-upon-Avon, recently let it slip that the skull belonged to pianist Andre Tchaikovsky.
Tchaikovsky bequeathed his skull to the Royal Shakespeare Company before his death in 1982 because he hated seeing this famous scene from Hamlet performed with plastic, prop skulls – but the RSC has not publicized the story.
I love the idea that Tchaikovsky has been making a cameo appearance as Yorick for over four months at the RSC without anybody realizing it.
The RSC have now confirmed that they will no longer use Tchaikovsky’s skull when the show transfers to London’s West End because it is “too distracting” for the audience.
“Bring back Tchaikovsky,” I say! As there’s nothing disrespectful or distasteful about this, the RSC should stay true to their original performance decisions – despite the media hype. Let’s respect Tchaikovsky’s dying wishes.
Comments
…his death in 1982…????? makes me think this story is about as true as the about a tree octopus
Tchaikovsky died in 1893 !
Wait – who was Andre Tchaikowsky – I have never heard of him. I doubt that given the tragic circumstances of his death that this would have been Peter Illich T.
SORRY! I missed that it was André Tchaikowsky, a Polish concert pianist and composer who, after his death from cancer in 1982 bequeathed his skull to the Royal Shakespeare Company in the hope of achieving his acting dream.
I agree! Let the skull stay!
Tak the the skull on tour, I say, even if it’s only 25 years old.
Does anyone know what the shelf-life of a skull is? I’ve just been looking back at photos of other actors holding the skull at the RSC – I think it’s getting yellower! Certainly, if they were using the “other Tchaikovsky’s” skull, it wouldn’t be a pretty sight.
I say let the skull of Andre Tchaikovsky stays because it’s his wish and desire and it also brings authenticity to a famous play by William Shakespeare.
I read about Tchaikovsky donating his skull in a wonderful collection of performance related essays by Paschale Abeischer, entitled ‘Shakespeare’s Violated Bodies’. I found the story both hilarious and moving.
I think the pianists wishes should be respected, and that he should be allowed to continue to take part in performances. I also think it very brave of david Tenant to use the prop after many years of squeamishness and neglect on behalf of other actors, directors and producers.
I am considering leaving my right hand to the R.S.C. for use in performances of Titus Andronicus after my death. Hence, like Tchaikovsky, although I may never appear in an R.S.C. production while I am alive, I may do so posthumously.
Learn more about Andre Tchaikowsky from his website – see the Will, see the Death Certificate, hear his compositions, listen to him play the piano. http://andretchaikowsky.com.
Alas! Poor Yoric. If we cannot have the original then surely we must accept the next best, and closest thing?