The heady mix of anticipation, apprehension and excitement emanating from the dozen-odd actors assembled at the foot of the stage in the Rhodes Theatre was palpable, infecting the audience. Although about to play Shakespeare, they were dressed in their everyday clothes and there was no set on stage. But the tension radiating out of them placed them in the separate realm that full costume accomplishes. The audience were atwitter (the real twittering, not the online version),  laughing, nervous for the actors, some of whom scanned the tiered rows recognising friends and then giving them that gallows stare; their eyes like black holes sucking sustenance and support from those who know and love them, smiles tight. Others were withdrawn into themselves, focusing ...

You only get one chance to see Hamlet played the way you choose to see it. Tonight, 10pm, at the Rhodes Theatre.  If you miss it you miss out. A product of the brilliant innovativeness (is there even such a word) of Tim Carroll's mind, it's a sort of Shakesperian theatresports - only I believe it is not, exactly. Cast member Tamara Guhrs tried to portray a sense of it the other morning over a cup of coffee, but I'm afraid to say I was not paying as much attention as I should of been. Well, it was morning. I do recall her saying that each cast member has to commit three of Shakespeare's characters to heart, and is required, at the ...