Hamlet Press Quotes
“… this Hamlet has a theatrical power and energy that make it thoroughly compelling. ...there’s plenty of atmosphere and dramatic tension, sustained by a vivid score by Philip Feeney and evocative designs by Christopher Giles.” Christiansen, R.
“Nixon is a master of psychological narrative: relationships are characterised by movement values, volumes are uttered in looks, glances and small gestures... The movement has ingenuity and fluency. The narrative is driven forward at all times... The dramatic material has to be appropriate or the ballet fails. This is a simple, immutable rule of good theatre, It is therefore a considerable measure of praise to state that Nixon brings off a convincing “Hamlet” that was cheered to the echo by the crowd.” Dixon, M.
“This is a dark tale, darkly told and it is hard to say I enjoyed it but I did find it dramatic and absolutely compelling.” McNulty, J
“His choice of staging has the appropriate degrees of tension, dread and brutality... “Nixon’s overall choreography serves the grim setting well. Confrontations have danger and depth.” Berry, K.
“Another triumph for David Nixon.” Burland, J.
Dine Direct.com
“…stunning choreography… Christopher Giles’ battlement set is simply awesome… It would be easy to take David Nixon’s magnificent direction for granted, were it not for the fact that every moment of the piece resonates so profoundly and poignantly, as if the sense of loss and subsequent insanity were all your own.” Richard Jevons
“The ballet itself was impressive… The set and costumes were perfection, brilliantly capturing the dark ambience of Paris under the iron fist of Hitler…”
McPhee, R.
“The dancers are always committed.” Anderson, Z.
“The heavy foreboding atmosphere was captured perfectly.” Gibbons, T.
"…a high-octane production... Nixon’s choreography at least lets those terrific NBT dancers show their mettle.” Monahan, M.
“Setting the action in occupied Paris is a perfect embodiment of the play’s eternal mystery, “to be or not to be”... It’s a juicy conceit with endless opportunities for dance, eagerly seized by Nixon. His dancers look superb in their ensemble work. ...Nixon has created perhaps one of the greatest male roles in contemporary dance …” Taylor, J.
“Slamming, shocking detail…” Mackrell, J.
“…Nixon’s choreography is full of pretty phrasing (where appropriate) and striking novelty... An early duet for Hamlet and Ophelia is gently expressive and suffused with simple joy.”
“The beauty, passion and grace of the dancers was breathtaking…” Wright, R.
“The jarring and jagged routines from the troupe, led by Hinton-Lewis in the lead role, perhaps brought the raw torment of the piece across like no theatrical performance could.” Foot, T.
“Move over Nutcracker, this is big boys ballet – brutal, testosterone-driven and utterly gripping... Northern Ballet Theatre’s Hamlet is everything a ballet usually is not, no tutus and an excellent plot. ...if you like a performance that knocks assumptions about ballet right off their pink-plimsoled toes, Northern Ballet Theatre is the company to watch.” Oakeshott, V.
***** "The dancing is so exhilarating that Nixon's Hamlet triumphs."
