London Publications Under Heat for Publishing Early Review of Benedict Cumberbatch-Led HAMLET

Lyndsey Turner's production of William Shakespeare's Hamlet, starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role, just began performances at the Barbican Theatre, and already a popular publication is under heat for their recent coverage of the production. The Times' Kate Matby released a negative review for the play, calling it "Shakespeare for Kids," after attending the first preview. The show doesn't officially open until August 25. Additionally, the Daily Mail's Jan Moir covered the same performance, giving the show a positive review, but including photos of the actors onstage.

Sonia Friedman Productions realeased the following statement to The Stage: "No critics were granted access to the first preview of Hamlet. There has been some reporting this morning to the contrary. Our opening night remains August 25. Official photography from the production is due to be released early next week and therefore any current photography from the production is unauthorised."

Joining Cumberbatch are Barry Aird (Soldier), Eddie Arnold (Danish Captain, Servant), Leo Bill (Horatio), Siân Brooke (Ophelia), Nigel Carrington (Servant, Cornelius), Ruairi Conaghan (Player King), Rudi Dharmalingam (Guildenstern), Colin Haigh (Priest, Messenger), Paul Ham (Official), Diveen Henry (Player Queen, Messenger), Anastasia Hille(Gertrude), Ciarán Hinds (Claudius), Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Laertes), Karl Johnson (Ghost of Hamlet's father), Jim Norton (Polonius), Amaka Okafor (Official), Dan Parr (Barnardo), Jan Shepherd (Courtier), Morag Siller (Voltemand), Matthew Steer (Rosencrantz), Sergo Vares (Fortinbras) and Dwane Walcott (Marcellus).

Set designs are by Es Devlin with costume designs by Katrina Lindsay, video by Luke Halls, lighting by Jane Cox, music by Jon Hopkins, sound by Christopher Shutt, movement by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and fights by Bret Yount.

As a country arms itself for war, a family tears itself apart. Forced to avenge his father's death but paralysed by the task ahead, Hamlet rages against the impossibility of his predicament, threatening both his sanity and the security of the state.

Photo Credit: Johan Persson