Paapa Essiedu Q&A Excerpts on 2016 RSC Hamlet
This week, with the world still impacted by Black Lives Matter protests triggered by the shooting death of George Floyd in Minneapolis (about an hour north of where I live in Minnesota), I have been watching and thinking about the 2016 RSC production of Hamlet, with its mostly-black cast.
[Viral BLM image, from Facebook]
Also this past week, people in the UK were able to view this production for free (and elsewhere, it can be rented or purchased for a reasonable fee).
In those 2016 performances and on tour internationally, Paapa Essiedu played the starring role as Prince Hamlet. This past week (21 June, 2020) on Twitter, he offered to hold a Q&A with viewers of the film, which you can find here.
This week, rather than share many of my own thoughts on these things, I want to share excerpts from that Q&A and to amplify some of those voices.
I include them here for those who are not on Twitter (and perhaps don't wish to be, or to use Twitter). I'll list names of questioners, followed by Paapa Essiedu replies:
Leo McCall
Absolutely LOVED this production, so hyped to watch it again tonight!
A few questions for you, Paapa:
1) What was the most challenging thing about playing Hamlet?
2) What advice can you give to an actor trying to do 'To be or not to be'? Anything specific we should focus on?
Paapa Essiedu @PaapaEssiedu
1)Resisting the temptation to do the same thing two shows in a row, 6 months into a run.
2) Try not to think of it as a SPEECH. Try to treat it as an active step forward in the narrative of the play. Really ask the questions and be curious as to what the answers could be...
or not be.
Pascale Aebischer
To what extent did it matter to you that there were cameras in the room when you did the broadcast? How aware were you that there was a much bigger audience than was in the theatre?
Paapa Essiedu
Its hard not to notice the cameras but important not to play up for them. There was an audience in the auditorium that needed some attention too...
Tried not to think about the bigger audience but so nice that those who couldn't make it to the theatre could see it!
Dino Squara
What is your process when approaching Shakespeare, and other roles outside of Shakespeare?
Paapa Essiedu
I start with the language. There are so many clues to character and relationship, hidden in plain sight in his text. Begin with what they say and be curious about what they don't say.
Nancy Caffeinated
Your Hamlet was one of the most physically aggressive I've seen, especially during the "get thee to a nunnery" confrontation with Ophelia in Act 3 Scene 1. What was the thinking behind that choice? Thank you for doing this, and thank you for such an affecting portrayal of Hamlet.
Paapa Essiedu
We're seeing a young man losing control and being incredibly aggressive in his language. Me and Natalie wanted to explore what that would add if it were mirrored physically (but safely). i don't think looking back he'd be proud of what he says or does.
sean
How do you approach Shakespeare’s works as apposed (sic) to contemporary work? Do the processes cross over, similar methodology?
Paapa Essiedu
The processes cross over i guess seeing as you're ultimately chasing truth and spontaneity. But i guess Shakespeare requires a bit more attention to the specificity of language. But only a bit more.
Nomadic Alice
Out of all is the venues that you played Hamlet in, which was the most ‘suited’ to the production? Which did you enjoy most? I saw it at Hackney Empire.
Paapa Essiedu
I think all the venues offered different challenges for our staging but provided something unique. But there was something special about taking the show to London, and particularly Hackney. We loved it there.
Laura Buczaczer Stuart
Do you get any say about your costume and do you think your performance (which I saw in Stratford and you were awesome) would have been different if you had been in Elizabethan costume?
Paapa Essiedu
I did! Me and @PaulW1lls
, our wonderful designer, went through a few options, all influenced by 1980's street art legend Jean Michel Basquiat. The costume was an integral part of the character for me so yes it would have been different i think. Better? We'll never know...
jame
of the 2 ICONIC speeches (sullied flesh / to be or not to be), did you find one more enjoyable to perform?
how different was you approach to each?
Paapa Essiedu
They're both hard. Sullied fresh is tough because of how raw the pain of his loss is.
To be or not to be is hard because you can see people mouthing along in the front row...
I tried to keep them immediate, present and, most importantly, ACTIVE.
Lloyd Hutchinson
Peter O’Toole said the same thing . He felt he wanted to stop the play and lead the audience through it
[Meaning invite the audience to speak it along with him...]
Paapa Essiedu
Would love to (be) lead through by Pete. with a pint. a few pints. Remember pints?
Christine Martin
How on earth did you learn all the lines? There is just so much!
Paapa Essiedu
A lot of talking to myself in a lot of London parks.
Roger Green
Did you find people avoid you when you are learning? Or just assume you are on the phone?
And as already been mentioned, loved this in Stratford (and what a jacket too!)
Paapa Essiedu
They're way more likely to call an ambulance for me tbh.
So glad you liked it!
Angry Black Femme
Pre-watch Qs:
• Black people being featured in such prominent roles is still new & critiqued heavily. Did you feel there was extra cultural weight you had to acknowledge & subvert to step into your role as Hamlet?
• & Do you think your being Black influenced your portrayal?
Paapa Essiedu
1)I felt that scrutiny at the time which was a difficult and unhelpful weight to shoulder as a 25 year old inexperienced actor.
2)Me being me influenced my portrayal.
Angry Black Femme
Thank you for answering!
As a sidenote: reading an article about you as Hamlet was the thing that made me hope that maybe the industry would finally start reflecting me, as a symbol of a new and tangible shift in the culture. It was just very important to me.
Paapa Essiedu
Wishing you luck and standing in solidarity with you for any bullshit this industry might throw at you. LOVE.
Angry Black Femme
I appreciate that. Already started challenging it as it goes.
Thank you!
suzanne lofthus
Did you do a lot of verse work or ignore the “rules”?
Paapa Essiedu
I learn the rules. Apply them. Then let them go. Hold on tightly, let go lightly.
suzanne lofthus
Recently challenged by a very well known Director who is challenging the con of the rules. Fascinating and challenging!
Christopher McNamara
How do you balance Hamlet’s grief for his father’s death, with his desire for vengeance? Also massive respect for doing an open Q&A.
Paapa Essiedu
His grief just exists. You can't deny it. You must allow it to live. His desire for vengeance has peaks and troughs. He questions it. Sometimes he's certain, sometimes he's not. Thats the one that's needs most balance.
[A comment and an unanswered/overlooked question:]
Gillian Ashley
Have been blessed to see many Hamlets over the years and love that each production and performance brings new insights and perspectives. Never experienced a Q&A with the lead actor before, though! Thank you for this.
Paapa Essiedu
Thank YOU.
Gillian Ashley
Hamlets I’ve seen, yours and DavidTennant’s, have been revelatory in unlocking the play’s humour. There hadn’t used to be many laughs in Hamlet productions! What do you think has driven this (welcome) approach?
Sarah
I have so much love for this production! What was your favourite moment - either something from performing or from development?
Paapa Essiedu
Audience laughter :)
Dr Victoria Dawson
That's one of the things I loved about this production, that it really brought out the humour in the script. Also, the soundscape was superb. I attended twice when you came to Hull.
Paapa Essiedu
Thanks for coming. TWICE!
Dr Victoria Dawson
Thank you and the cast for being sublime. The cast Q&A was insightful then too, like your tweets tonight.
Liz
This was the first time I ever saw Shakespeare performed live and seeing a majority Black cast solidified my love for the craft. Love and light for you and whatever you do next
suzanne lofthus
Did Simon set the concept at first or was it explored in rehearsal?
Paapa Essiedu
The cast and creatives made the 'concept' together, drawing on communal experience.
suzanne lofthus
Brilliant. As it should be!
[Playwright] Sonali Bhattacharyya
Legend
Paapa Essiedu
You're the legend x
(The next question may be from a teacher whose students sometimes wonder if Hamlet is mad at Polonius for requiring Ophelia to cut him off, and murders him intentionally - although Polonius is hidden, and Hamlet therefore doesn't know for sure who he is stabbing. This kind of question may be motivated by readers/viewers who have trouble juggling the many themes in the play of corruption, and who wish to relate to the play only as young people who have experienced love, and disapproving parents, and angry young men who are denied?)
Nicola Madigan
When he kills Polonius, does he actually believe it’s Claudius? (I took thee for the better)? My A Level students love your Hamlet.
Paapa Essiedu
I think so. He's got no reason to think otherwise. He's trigger happy though...
Nicola Madigan
Thank you! My students will be so interested in your insights!! They’ll be able to quote you in their essays
suzanne lofthus
Did you decide on Hamlet’s state of mind?
Paapa Essiedu
how do you mean?
suzanne lofthus
Did you think he was mad, grieving, sane and wronged? Vengeful?
Paapa Essiedu
All of the above.
suzanne lofthus
Really interesting to explore. I’ve seen many Hamlets. Absolutely was blown away by yours! Loving watching it again.
Paapa Essiedu
Thank you Suzanne. Really appreciate that xx
suzanne lofthus
Apart from the production which was fabulous, I absolutely loved seeing young audiences who identified with you on their feet at the end cheering. Finally they saw Shakespeare through their eyes! As it should be! You’ve changed lives. Forever.
Paapa Essiedu
I've got to say seeing engaged youngsters in the audience always made me remember why we do this.
suzanne lofthus
Not just engaged. Changed!
Paapa Essiedu
I hope!
suzanne lofthus
I know! I saw them. Wonderful
Nicola Madigan
In your view, was he delaying and procrastinating or just waiting for the perfect opportunity to take his revenge?
Paapa Essiedu
Somewhere in between the two.
toby
Late to the party on this, but I was utterly blown away by your and the rest of the cast's performance! Hamlet is my favourite Shakespeare play and I wish I'd been able to see it live.
Did the physicality of the performance take much of a toll on you?
Paapa Essiedu
It was more the vocal demands of the role tbh. By the end of Saturday night my vocal chords were always shredded.
Thank you!
Toddles
What was your process like approaching the ‘to be or not to be’ speech and how did you aim to differentiate and make it ur own?
Paapa Essiedu
Tried to treat it like any other part of the play and just live it moment by moment, thought by thought, question by question. It must be ACTIVE and never reflective.
Toddles
What an insightful process! Thank you for the response! Very useful for a young aspiring drama student like myself.
Next week I hope to share more observations on this 2016 RSC production. I would love for readers of this blog to view the 2016 RSC production of Hamlet; in the past, I have encouraged blog readers to view and donate to Shakespeare's Globe to help save that theater in this time of pandemic and the new financial pressures placed on arts organizations. The RSC is also under great pressure (one story and interview with Gregory Doran on "RSC in fight to survive" can be found here). Please support the RSC and other arts organizations if you are able.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disclaimer: If and when I quote or paraphrase bible passages in many of my blog posts, I do not intend to promote any religion over any other, nor am I attempting to promote religious belief in general; only to point out how the Bible may have influenced Shakespeare, his plays, and his age.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for reading!
My current project is a book tentatively titled Hamlet’s Bible, about biblical allusions and plot echoes in Hamlet.
Below is a link to a list of some of my top posts (“greatest hits”), including a description of my book project (last item on the list):
https://pauladrianfried.blogspot.com/2019/12/top-20-hamlet-bible-posts.html
I post every week, so please visit as often as you like and consider subscribing.
[Viral BLM image, from Facebook]
Also this past week, people in the UK were able to view this production for free (and elsewhere, it can be rented or purchased for a reasonable fee).
In those 2016 performances and on tour internationally, Paapa Essiedu played the starring role as Prince Hamlet. This past week (21 June, 2020) on Twitter, he offered to hold a Q&A with viewers of the film, which you can find here.
This week, rather than share many of my own thoughts on these things, I want to share excerpts from that Q&A and to amplify some of those voices.
I include them here for those who are not on Twitter (and perhaps don't wish to be, or to use Twitter). I'll list names of questioners, followed by Paapa Essiedu replies:
Leo McCall
Absolutely LOVED this production, so hyped to watch it again tonight!
A few questions for you, Paapa:
1) What was the most challenging thing about playing Hamlet?
2) What advice can you give to an actor trying to do 'To be or not to be'? Anything specific we should focus on?
Paapa Essiedu @PaapaEssiedu
1)Resisting the temptation to do the same thing two shows in a row, 6 months into a run.
2) Try not to think of it as a SPEECH. Try to treat it as an active step forward in the narrative of the play. Really ask the questions and be curious as to what the answers could be...
or not be.
Pascale Aebischer
To what extent did it matter to you that there were cameras in the room when you did the broadcast? How aware were you that there was a much bigger audience than was in the theatre?
Paapa Essiedu
Its hard not to notice the cameras but important not to play up for them. There was an audience in the auditorium that needed some attention too...
Tried not to think about the bigger audience but so nice that those who couldn't make it to the theatre could see it!
Dino Squara
What is your process when approaching Shakespeare, and other roles outside of Shakespeare?
Paapa Essiedu
I start with the language. There are so many clues to character and relationship, hidden in plain sight in his text. Begin with what they say and be curious about what they don't say.
Nancy Caffeinated
Your Hamlet was one of the most physically aggressive I've seen, especially during the "get thee to a nunnery" confrontation with Ophelia in Act 3 Scene 1. What was the thinking behind that choice? Thank you for doing this, and thank you for such an affecting portrayal of Hamlet.
Paapa Essiedu
We're seeing a young man losing control and being incredibly aggressive in his language. Me and Natalie wanted to explore what that would add if it were mirrored physically (but safely). i don't think looking back he'd be proud of what he says or does.
sean
How do you approach Shakespeare’s works as apposed (sic) to contemporary work? Do the processes cross over, similar methodology?
Paapa Essiedu
The processes cross over i guess seeing as you're ultimately chasing truth and spontaneity. But i guess Shakespeare requires a bit more attention to the specificity of language. But only a bit more.
Nomadic Alice
Out of all is the venues that you played Hamlet in, which was the most ‘suited’ to the production? Which did you enjoy most? I saw it at Hackney Empire.
Paapa Essiedu
I think all the venues offered different challenges for our staging but provided something unique. But there was something special about taking the show to London, and particularly Hackney. We loved it there.
Laura Buczaczer Stuart
Do you get any say about your costume and do you think your performance (which I saw in Stratford and you were awesome) would have been different if you had been in Elizabethan costume?
Paapa Essiedu
I did! Me and @PaulW1lls
, our wonderful designer, went through a few options, all influenced by 1980's street art legend Jean Michel Basquiat. The costume was an integral part of the character for me so yes it would have been different i think. Better? We'll never know...
jame
of the 2 ICONIC speeches (sullied flesh / to be or not to be), did you find one more enjoyable to perform?
how different was you approach to each?
Paapa Essiedu
They're both hard. Sullied fresh is tough because of how raw the pain of his loss is.
To be or not to be is hard because you can see people mouthing along in the front row...
I tried to keep them immediate, present and, most importantly, ACTIVE.
Lloyd Hutchinson
Peter O’Toole said the same thing . He felt he wanted to stop the play and lead the audience through it
[Meaning invite the audience to speak it along with him...]
Paapa Essiedu
Would love to (be) lead through by Pete. with a pint. a few pints. Remember pints?
Christine Martin
How on earth did you learn all the lines? There is just so much!
Paapa Essiedu
A lot of talking to myself in a lot of London parks.
Roger Green
Did you find people avoid you when you are learning? Or just assume you are on the phone?
And as already been mentioned, loved this in Stratford (and what a jacket too!)
Paapa Essiedu
They're way more likely to call an ambulance for me tbh.
So glad you liked it!
Angry Black Femme
Pre-watch Qs:
• Black people being featured in such prominent roles is still new & critiqued heavily. Did you feel there was extra cultural weight you had to acknowledge & subvert to step into your role as Hamlet?
• & Do you think your being Black influenced your portrayal?
Paapa Essiedu
1)I felt that scrutiny at the time which was a difficult and unhelpful weight to shoulder as a 25 year old inexperienced actor.
2)Me being me influenced my portrayal.
Angry Black Femme
Thank you for answering!
As a sidenote: reading an article about you as Hamlet was the thing that made me hope that maybe the industry would finally start reflecting me, as a symbol of a new and tangible shift in the culture. It was just very important to me.
Paapa Essiedu
Wishing you luck and standing in solidarity with you for any bullshit this industry might throw at you. LOVE.
Angry Black Femme
I appreciate that. Already started challenging it as it goes.
Thank you!
suzanne lofthus
Did you do a lot of verse work or ignore the “rules”?
Paapa Essiedu
I learn the rules. Apply them. Then let them go. Hold on tightly, let go lightly.
suzanne lofthus
Recently challenged by a very well known Director who is challenging the con of the rules. Fascinating and challenging!
Christopher McNamara
How do you balance Hamlet’s grief for his father’s death, with his desire for vengeance? Also massive respect for doing an open Q&A.
Paapa Essiedu
His grief just exists. You can't deny it. You must allow it to live. His desire for vengeance has peaks and troughs. He questions it. Sometimes he's certain, sometimes he's not. Thats the one that's needs most balance.
[A comment and an unanswered/overlooked question:]
Gillian Ashley
Have been blessed to see many Hamlets over the years and love that each production and performance brings new insights and perspectives. Never experienced a Q&A with the lead actor before, though! Thank you for this.
Paapa Essiedu
Thank YOU.
Gillian Ashley
Hamlets I’ve seen, yours and DavidTennant’s, have been revelatory in unlocking the play’s humour. There hadn’t used to be many laughs in Hamlet productions! What do you think has driven this (welcome) approach?
Sarah
I have so much love for this production! What was your favourite moment - either something from performing or from development?
Paapa Essiedu
Audience laughter :)
Dr Victoria Dawson
That's one of the things I loved about this production, that it really brought out the humour in the script. Also, the soundscape was superb. I attended twice when you came to Hull.
Paapa Essiedu
Thanks for coming. TWICE!
Dr Victoria Dawson
Thank you and the cast for being sublime. The cast Q&A was insightful then too, like your tweets tonight.
Liz
This was the first time I ever saw Shakespeare performed live and seeing a majority Black cast solidified my love for the craft. Love and light for you and whatever you do next
suzanne lofthus
Did Simon set the concept at first or was it explored in rehearsal?
Paapa Essiedu
The cast and creatives made the 'concept' together, drawing on communal experience.
suzanne lofthus
Brilliant. As it should be!
[Playwright] Sonali Bhattacharyya
Legend
Paapa Essiedu
You're the legend x
(The next question may be from a teacher whose students sometimes wonder if Hamlet is mad at Polonius for requiring Ophelia to cut him off, and murders him intentionally - although Polonius is hidden, and Hamlet therefore doesn't know for sure who he is stabbing. This kind of question may be motivated by readers/viewers who have trouble juggling the many themes in the play of corruption, and who wish to relate to the play only as young people who have experienced love, and disapproving parents, and angry young men who are denied?)
Nicola Madigan
When he kills Polonius, does he actually believe it’s Claudius? (I took thee for the better)? My A Level students love your Hamlet.
Paapa Essiedu
I think so. He's got no reason to think otherwise. He's trigger happy though...
Nicola Madigan
Thank you! My students will be so interested in your insights!! They’ll be able to quote you in their essays
suzanne lofthus
Did you decide on Hamlet’s state of mind?
Paapa Essiedu
how do you mean?
suzanne lofthus
Did you think he was mad, grieving, sane and wronged? Vengeful?
Paapa Essiedu
All of the above.
suzanne lofthus
Really interesting to explore. I’ve seen many Hamlets. Absolutely was blown away by yours! Loving watching it again.
Paapa Essiedu
Thank you Suzanne. Really appreciate that xx
suzanne lofthus
Apart from the production which was fabulous, I absolutely loved seeing young audiences who identified with you on their feet at the end cheering. Finally they saw Shakespeare through their eyes! As it should be! You’ve changed lives. Forever.
Paapa Essiedu
I've got to say seeing engaged youngsters in the audience always made me remember why we do this.
suzanne lofthus
Not just engaged. Changed!
Paapa Essiedu
I hope!
suzanne lofthus
I know! I saw them. Wonderful
Nicola Madigan
In your view, was he delaying and procrastinating or just waiting for the perfect opportunity to take his revenge?
Paapa Essiedu
Somewhere in between the two.
toby
Late to the party on this, but I was utterly blown away by your and the rest of the cast's performance! Hamlet is my favourite Shakespeare play and I wish I'd been able to see it live.
Did the physicality of the performance take much of a toll on you?
Paapa Essiedu
It was more the vocal demands of the role tbh. By the end of Saturday night my vocal chords were always shredded.
Thank you!
Toddles
What was your process like approaching the ‘to be or not to be’ speech and how did you aim to differentiate and make it ur own?
Paapa Essiedu
Tried to treat it like any other part of the play and just live it moment by moment, thought by thought, question by question. It must be ACTIVE and never reflective.
Toddles
What an insightful process! Thank you for the response! Very useful for a young aspiring drama student like myself.
Next week I hope to share more observations on this 2016 RSC production. I would love for readers of this blog to view the 2016 RSC production of Hamlet; in the past, I have encouraged blog readers to view and donate to Shakespeare's Globe to help save that theater in this time of pandemic and the new financial pressures placed on arts organizations. The RSC is also under great pressure (one story and interview with Gregory Doran on "RSC in fight to survive" can be found here). Please support the RSC and other arts organizations if you are able.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disclaimer: If and when I quote or paraphrase bible passages in many of my blog posts, I do not intend to promote any religion over any other, nor am I attempting to promote religious belief in general; only to point out how the Bible may have influenced Shakespeare, his plays, and his age.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for reading!
My current project is a book tentatively titled Hamlet’s Bible, about biblical allusions and plot echoes in Hamlet.
Below is a link to a list of some of my top posts (“greatest hits”), including a description of my book project (last item on the list):
https://pauladrianfried.blogspot.com/2019/12/top-20-hamlet-bible-posts.html
I post every week, so please visit as often as you like and consider subscribing.
And yet another excellent entry, Dr. Fried. This comment, 'Liz':
ReplyDelete"This was the first time I ever saw Shakespeare performed live and seeing a majority Black cast solidified my love for the craft. Love and light for you and whatever you do next" jumped out as I read the entire text.
Yes! And I'm sure many others felt the same!
Delete