Published in The i July 20, 2021
It is 50 years since Ian McKellen last played Hamlet – a stretch of time itself greater than the age of most actors who play Shakespeare’s “sweet prince”. At 82, Sir Ian makes history as the oldest actor to have a stab at the part, in an age-blind production by Sean Mathias at the Theatre Royal Windsor.
Andrew Scott, 41, was born and raised in Dublin. Recently seen in the BBC adaptation of King Lear, he is best known for playing Moriarty in Sherlock, and for starring in Robert Icke’s production of Hamlet, which transferred from the Almeida to the West End last year. In 2008, Simon Stephens wrote Sea Wall – a monologue about grief – for Scott; it is being revived as part of the Old Vic’s bicentenary celebrations. Continue reading “Andrew Scott: ‘There was no Hamlet rivalry with Benedict Cumberbatch’”
Is Hamlet sexist? To even ask the question might sound provocative. Hamlet: the greatest play ever written, the pinnacle of any actor’s career. Hamlet is a hero; Hamlet is the role Hollywood stars want to play. Surely no misogynist would be so worshipped and adored? Continue reading “Is Hamlet sexist?”
From playing Moriarty in Sherlock, to a sinister government suit in the latest Bond film Spectre, to a sadistic rock star in Simon Stephens’ play Birdland, Andrew Scott has made a bit of a reputation for himself as a psychopath. Maybe it’s those big dark eyes – or his flashing sarcastic grin. Continue reading “Andrew Scott breaks away from being the baddie in The Dazzle”