The history of Hamlet at Bristol Old Vic
Get to know some of the faces who have taken on Shakespeare's most famous role.
Photograph of the metal shutters at Bristol Old Vic (2019) by Mike HumeBristol Old Vic
1767 - William Powell
Bristol Old Vic has been staging Hamlet for 255 years. Our first Hamlet was also our first manager: William Powell.
Powell had the honour of being the first person to speak on our stage. Today, his inaugural words from May 31st 1766 are inscribed on shutters in our foyer.
Photograph of the wall projection of Sarah Siddons (2018) by Chelsey CliffBristol Old Vic
1781 - Sarah Siddons
Sarah Siddons is one of the first woman known to have played Hamlet.
She played the role nine times over thirty years, including at Bristol Old Vic in 1781.
Portrait of Mrs [Sarah] Siddons Reading, Clifton (1808) by George Cumberland SeniorBristol Old Vic
Siddons’ boundary pushing Hamlet expanded the possibilities for actresses on stage and paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps.
Playbill advertising performance of 'Hamlet, Prince of Denmark' (1799-06-26)Bristol Old Vic
1799 - William Dimond
William Dimond tried his hand at the role in 1799.
Unfortunately, his performance wasn't very well received. The Bristol Journal wrote of his acting: "nothing is irregular, nothing is left to chance... you have little to excite astonishment".
Playbill advertising performance of 'Hamlet, Prince of Denmark' (1821-05-07)Bristol Old Vic
1821 - Henry Johnson
Luckily, Dimond's performance didn't put Bristolian audiences off Shakespeare's masterpiece for good.
Hamlet was performed several more times between 1799 and 1830, including in 1821 when Henry Johnson took on the role.
William Charles Macready as William Tell (1826–27) by Henry InmanThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
1830 - William Charles Macready
William Charles Macready was a bona fide star of the 19th century stage.
His fans included Charles Dickens and Alfred Tennyson.
Playbill advertising performance of 'Hamlet, Prince of Denmark' (1830-01-20)Bristol Old Vic
Macready added extra authenticity to his performance by casting his stepmother Sarah as Queen Gertrude.
Echoing the play's plot, the two had a famously difficult relationship.
Photograph of Peter O'Toole in Hamlet (1958) by Desmond TrippBristol Old Vic
1952 - Peter O'Toole
Hamlet appears to have fallen out of favour in Bristol between the late 19th century and early 20th century.
However, it came back with a bang in 1952.
A reviewer described Peter O'Toole's 1952 performance as: "The best thing to happen to Bristol's Thespian scene. He's a lean, lank individualist Teddy Boy!"
Photograph of Richard Pasco in Hamlet (1964) by Derek BalmerBristol Old Vic
1964 and 1967 - Richard Pasco
Richard Pasco was a Hamlet for the swinging sixties. Val May's production was such a success it even toured to America.
The New York Times described his Hamlet as full of "balance, sensitivity, intelligence and vigour".
Photograph of Richard Pasco and Barbara Leigh Hunt in Hamlet (1966) by Derek BalmerBristol Old Vic
Offstage, sparks flew between Pasco and his Ophelia, Barbara Leigh Hunt.
The couple married in 1967 and remained together until his death in 2014.
Photograph of Robert O'Mahoney in Hamlet (1977)Bristol Old Vic
1977 - Robert O'Mahoney
The same year he played Hamlet at Bristol Old Vic, O'Mahoney also appeared in a little known film called Star Wars: A New Hope.
Photograph of Alan Rickman in Hamlet (1977)Bristol Old Vic
His co-star was none other than Alan Rickman.
Photograph of Iain Glen in Hamlet (1991) by Gordon RainsfordBristol Old Vic
1991 - Iain Glen
Iain Glen starred in Paul Unwin's 1991 production alongside James Purefoy and Richard Lintern.
Multiple Olivier and Tony award winner Bunny Christie designed the sets.
2022 - Billy Howle
In Autumn 2022 Billy Howle will follow in the footsteps of Powell, Siddons, O'Toole, Glen and more.
Our new production directed by John Haidar excavates the dark subconscious of Shakespeare's greatest tragedy.
Find out more here: https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/hamlet
With thanks to Bristol Archives and the University of Bristol Theatre Collection.
All our heritage work is made possible thanks to generous funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
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