BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / Benedict appears at "Shakespeare Live!"

**Posted by Yitzock** April 24, 2016 1:47 pm

besleybean wrote:
I really liked the Hamlet scene: on the surface it seemed like a bit of light fun. But when you're really into language in general and Shakespeare in particular, you realise how clever it was.
It shows what a good job actors do and the guy who delivered the final version, did so well.

Quite right, it really spoke to the fact that every person who plays Hamlet has a different interpretation of it. I remember hearing that there are as many different interpretations of Hamlet as there are actors who have played Hamlet.
And even outside of that, it shows how the scanning if verse (deciding which syllables are stressed and which ones are not) has a certain amount of subjectivity.

**Posted by besleybean** April 24, 2016 1:48 pm

Wow, I thought Hamlet guy was great!

**Posted by This Is The Phantom Lady** April 24, 2016 2:17 pm

So did I. He's did a very good job compared to some Hamlet's I've seen... Benedict is still my favourite though... and I'd still say that even if I wasn't a fan

**Posted by tonnaree** April 24, 2016 2:23 pm

That skit was bloody brilliant.

**Posted by besleybean** April 24, 2016 2:56 pm

It was and yes, Phantom...loved seeing Benedict live as Hamlet.

**Posted by Ivy** April 24, 2016 3:38 pm

Vhanja wrote:
Seeing as Ben has gone straight from Dr. Strange to Sherlock, perhaps he simply didn't have the time to rehearse anything more?

Seeing as I dislike theatre and am not into Shakespare at all, I enjoyed this show. I especially enjoyed the legendary seniors - LIthgow, Suchet, McKellen, Mirren and Dench. I particually liked Ian McKellen's piece, as it is strikingly relevant today.

Also, the sketch with Ben was quite funny. (And he looked amazing!)

And I don't know about you, guys, but fangirl-wise it's a very special thing to watch something like that live. To be able to look at Ben and know that this isn't something that was shot months ago and then edited into something, but that he is up there on that stage while I am sitting on my couch. Quite awesome.

That was my thought too, that he simple didn't have to time to rehearse more. Nevertheless it's sad there wasn't more.

I agree, I'm not into Shakespeare, I like newer theatre stuff though. The singing and ballet wasn't my thing, but there were great moments yesterday.
The sketch was very funny, (Eddie Redmayne *haha*) Prince Charles did it well.

And he really looked amazing.

besleybean wrote:
Aren't actors supposed to be nervous?

Definitely, and he hasn't done something live for some time.

**Posted by Ivy** April 24, 2016 3:42 pm

Yitzock wrote:
Yes! A version that is not blocked in Canada! I had already watched a blocked one with a VPN, but it's good to know there is an unblocked one to refer to later. I loved Judi Dench and Benedict's bit.

Did you get help? Otherwise I would suggest downloading that video with http://convert2mp3.net/en/ choose a video format before clicking convert. In Germany we sometimes have that problem with that organisation from hell GEMA that is responsible for reproduction rights. But I can still download those videos.

**Posted by dioscureantwins** April 24, 2016 3:47 pm

Well, Hamlet is a ponderer, isn't he? Not exactly a man of action. I totally missed that aspect in the poor man's delivery.

**Posted by SusiGo** April 24, 2016 4:21 pm

I really loved Ian McKellen's speech, not just for his delivery but also for the thoughtful choice of a piece referring to refugees and feeling strange in an unknown country. In case anyone is interested, here is some background information (nice to hear that Sir Ian did it as early as 1964):

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/03/16/470729477/only-script-in-shakespeares-handwriting-urges-compassion-for-migrants

**Posted by This Is The Phantom Lady** April 24, 2016 4:43 pm

I love Ian McKellen for so many reasons, this is only adding to it!

**Posted by Ivy** April 24, 2016 5:25 pm

Their faces

**Posted by This Is The Phantom Lady** April 24, 2016 5:35 pm

Lol, someone on facebook made a gif of that saying "When Gandalf forgets you're Smaug"

Also, totally random... but I just discovered I still have my old history teacher on Facebook... he shared the sketch!

**Posted by besleybean** April 24, 2016 5:44 pm

Your history teacher has good taste.
Oh and Benedict gives good face, as they say...

**Posted by Ivy** April 24, 2016 6:05 pm

By the way, who was right, which word of "to be or not to be, that is the question" do you emphasize? That indeed is the question!

Last edited by Ivy (April 24, 2016 6:06 pm)

**Posted by besleybean** April 24, 2016 6:06 pm

I actually agreed with HRH and you won't often hear me uttering that sentence!

**Posted by Ivy** April 24, 2016 6:38 pm

Well they told him to say that, don't worry no need to feel bad.

**Posted by besleybean** April 24, 2016 6:39 pm

Ha.

**Posted by SolarSystem** April 24, 2016 7:30 pm

This just makes me laugh.

**Posted by besleybean** April 24, 2016 7:31 pm

Judi looks great!

**Posted by SolarSystem** April 24, 2016 7:56 pm

The show will be released on DVD in May:
http://tennantnews.blogspot.de/2016/04/shakespeare-live-to-be-released-on-dvd.html