Ed Fringe 2010: Hamlet! The Musical, Pleasance Courtyard
Writer: Alex Silverman, Timothy Knapman & Ed Jaspers
Musical Director: Leo Nicholson
Director: Ryan McBryde
Reviewer: Deborah Klayman
The Public Reviews Rating: 
With a plethora of shows every fringe titled something or other ‘The Musical’ you would be forgiven for thinking this show is nothing new – but you would be wrong! Wowing the audience from the first bars of music, Hamlet! The Musical is an electrifying rollercoaster ride through the story of the Prince with the ‘Danish Blues’.
With Hamlet as a rude-boy teenager, Laertes dressed as a Toreador, and a Ghost who bears a striking resemblance to Elvis, this was immediately set to be an entirely different retelling of Shakespeare’s classic. The songs are catchy, the dance routines slick, and there are enough puns and nods to the bard to keep everyone happy. Mark Inscoe is outstanding as the devious Claudius, with a sublime singing voice and comic timing to match, and Laertes (Stephen Webb) is adroit and absurd in equal measure. Jack Shalloo is a hilarious Hamlet (two words that have rarely been put together) and performs a sensational solo ‘To Be Or Not To Be’ backed by the rest of the cast which is one of the show’s many highlights. Jess Robinson’s Ophelia is far from wet as she descends into madness, and Virge Gilchrist’s peculiar Gertrude is a joy to watch.
Rather than stock stage combat, characters use anything at their disposal when settling their scores including giant baguettes, a hilarious dance-off, and Hamlet and Laertes commencing their final showdown armed with nothing but giant herring. All of the actors are superb, playing multiple roles with ease and gently mocking the majority of mainstream musicals with aplomb, while the live orchestra provide the bombastic backing track. It will be a crime if this show doesn’t transfer after the festival.
“A hit, a very palpable hit”!
Runs until 30th August
Tags: Alex Silverman, Ed Jaspers, Edinburgh Fringe 2010, Hamlet! The Musical, Jack Shalloo., Jess Robinson, Mark Inscoe, Phil Cole, Pleasance, Ryan McBryde, Shakespeare, Stephen Webb, Timothy Knapman, Virge Gilchrist
