This new version of HAMLET by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is fresh, vivid and makes it seem as if it was written yesterday rather than over 400 years ago.

The text itself is mostly presented uncut so it is a long show but more than worth it. We are privileged to see this production filmed at Stratford Upon Avon, the home of the RSC.

Superbly directed by Simon Goodwin, who helps the cast maintain a breathless, relentless, hypnotic pace, it is important to note that this is the first RSC production to feature a coloured performer playing Hamlet.

Denmark has been transformed to become a vaguely military contemporary torrid West African country  with spine tingling, hypnotically explosive ceremonial drumming, guns, mobile phones etc but also haunted by tradition .The colours are mostly bright and bold (including some graffiti) and there is stick-fighting for the duel between Hamlet and Laertes rather than rapiers.

The designs by Paul Wills are sparse and appear simple yet allow for fluid scene changes ( banners fly up or down, some parts of the set slide in or out , the trapdoor ascends/descends , a double throne comes to represent The Court, and there is a high ledge for messengers.

It is my belief that this  striking production will become legendary. The production is led by Paapa Essiedu  in the lead role and he gives a stellar performance. A short opening scene at the University of Wittenberg establishes the end of Hamlet’s education.

Through Esiedu we see Hamlet’s vacillation and indecision, his guilt and grief. His life is destroyed because he can’t decide. In this version his madness is real, driven by the shocking revelations.

Essiedu is in total command of the role, and emanates youth’s energy, battered idealism and charisma . When alone he is full of crippling self doubt, and when functioning in society he is cruelly mocking.

In this production the disruption of Hamlet’s madness is expressed as giant paintings that become haunting oracles, in the style of Jean-Michel Basquiat. He spray paints the new official portrait of Gertrude and Claudius with graffiti symbols.

Hamlet also changes from elegant casual black funeral garb to a strange paint sprayed white suit with a graffiti- like design that features a skull.

The entire ensemble was extremely effective . To mention just a few :

Natalie Simpson as Ophelia was magnificent. Small, delicate and feline she is strong yet vulnerable, fierce  and yet ferocious in her love. Her mad scenes are shocking and searing – distraught , she pulls her hair out to use as ‘the flowers.

Clarence Smith as Claudius was silkily malevolent and resolute, a tyrant with a steel glove hidden under the velvet surface.

Tanya Moodie as glamorous Gertrude was beautifully dressed and yet mostly simpering,  head over heels in love with her new husband.  She is however shattered by Hamlet’s accusations in the closet scene and there are hints that she has turned against Claudius after that.

The ghost of Hamlet’s father is eerily played by the tall, imposing Ewart James Walters, who had a glorious melodious voice . He enters and exits with plenty of ‘shivering’ mist. Walters also played the role of the jaunty Gravedigger, who enters the scene, with his assistant, to a calypso tune.

Polonius, as portrayed by Cyril Nri, was a loving, concerned father and a fawning and jovial statesman. His famous ‘these few precepts in thy memory ‘ speech was played in a serious tone, and not for humour, which I have seen done in the past

Marcus Griffiths was excellent as Laertes , a worthy, friendly opponent of Hamlet, vibrant and elegant, devastated at both the loss of his father and his sister’s descent into madness.

Horatio as portrayed by lithe, athletic Hiran Abeysekera was also terrific. Abeysekera’s primal scream at the end, when he grieves for Hamlet, was simply shattering.

This was a thrilling, breathtaking production.

Running time – allow four hours and extra for the interval.

The screening includes behind the scenes snippets and interviews with the cast and more.

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of HAMLET  screens at selected cinemas from 16 July 2016 .

The actual  Stratford Upon Avon production is playing until August 13 .