Hamlet

Directed by Greg Doran, this thoroughly modern take on the most famous of Shakespeare's plays stars David Tennant (AKA TV's Dr. Who) in a critically-acclaimed performance as the titular Dane, while Shakespearian stalwart and fellow sci-fi TV star Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation) stars in the remarkably brave dual role of Claudius and the ghost of Hamlet's father.

Set upon a pillared stage with high shine black floors and walls almost completely bereft of furnishings or decoration, the entire performance is played out by cast members in stylish modern dress as opposed to that of the Shakespearian era.

For those not yet initiated, the protagonist of Hamlet is Prince Hamlet of Denmark, son of the recently deceased King Hamlet and his wife, Queen Gertrude.

While the young Hamlet is away at school the recently deceased King's brother, Claudius, is elected king and hastily marries Gertrude. A minor subplot involves Denmark's long-standing feud with neighbouring Norway, and the threat of invasion led by the Norwegian prince Fortinbras.

The play is set in the fictional castle of Elsinore where Hamlet gets word from his best friend Horatio that guards have witnessed the ghost of his father at night amongst the turrets of the castle.

Hamlet resolves to see the ghost and when it magically appears before him it tells Hamlet that he was murdered by Claudius.

The Ghost demands that Hamlet avenge him and Hamlet agrees. However he knows that he cannot simply Kill King Claudius as he needs proof of his guilt, and so instead he forges an elaborate plot to determine the king's guilt.

What follows is one of the classic stories of all time; a tale of love, betrayal and murder that has captured the hearts and minds of audiences and scholars the world over with its intricacy of plot and its majestic use of the English language.