To be or not to be, Watson? Cumberbatch swaps Sherlock for Shakespeare

Benedict Cumberbatch is going from Sherlock to Shakespeare.

The award-winning actor will play Hamlet, the troubled Danish prince, on the London stage in the autumn of 2014.

Cumberbatch joins the pantheon of modern Hamlets who have included Ben Whishaw, Jude Law, Simon Russell Beale, Mark Rylance, David Tennant and John Simm.

Cue Cumberbatch: Benedict Cumberbatch will take the stage as Hamlet next year

Questioned several years ago on what stage role he yearned to play, Cumberbatch instantly responded: ‘Hamlet, obviously.’

The actor was sipping a Grey Goose cocktail at a party held in Toronto’s Soho House following the world premiere of The Fifth Estate at the Toronto International Film Festival when he let slip to me that he was actively pursuing a return to the theatre, following his role-swapping stint at the National in Danny Boyle’s production of Frankenstein back in 2011.

He wouldn’t tell me more, but after a process of elimination I hit upon Hamlet and the rumour led me, eventually, to the indefatigable producer Sonia Friedman, who confirmed that she was in ‘active discussions’ with Cumberbatch and celebrated director Lyndsey Turner.

Ms Turner directed Posh at the Royal Court and the current Almeida Theatre smash Chimerica, now playing to packed houses at the Harold Pinter Theatre.

Pressed further, Ms Friedman added: ‘We’re in advanced discussions with Benedict Cumberbatch about playing Hamlet, and we’re at the stage of sorting out schedules concerning him and the director Lyndsey Turner. Key to those talks is West End theatre availability, or availability of a non-traditional theatre space to present the play.’

Cumberbatch is a hot property right now, and with good reason. His ability to deliver astute, decisive performances — demonstrated in the masterpiece that is Twelve Years A Slave, which I caught at the Telluride Film Festival; and in August: Osage County and The Fifth Estate, which I saw in Toronto — may bring him awards season attention.

Cumberbatch recently completed the third series of Sherlock, which BBC1 will broadcast next year. And he has just started filming The Imitation Game, in which he portrays tortured World War II computer genius Alan Turing, opposite Keira Knightley (so delightful in new movie Can A Song Save Your Life?).

To be, or not to be Hamlet? There seems no question that in a year’s time Cumberbatch will be uttering the sweet prince’s famous lines on a stage somewhere in London.

... and Jude Law steps unto the breach

Jude got it: 'The time is ripe' for Jude Law to wear Henry V's crown

Michael Grandage said Jude Law is at the peak of his acting and physical powers and ‘the time is ripe’ for him to play Henry V.

The Oscar-nominated actor, pictured left, begins rehearsing Grandage’s production next month.

‘Henry V is about a young king — and Jude’s at the peak of his powers,’ the director said. ‘He’s in very good nick, which is why he should play Henry now.

'I wouldn’t want to see him do it in ten or 15 years time; he’d be far too old. The best time is right now. He’s got the charisma and acting power to do it.’

Grandage said that he and Law meet constantly to discuss the role, which will be the fifth and final production of the Michael Grandage Company’s inaugural season.



Performances begin at the Noel Coward Theatre from November 23, following the raucously sensual A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with David Walliams and a captivating Sheridan Smith.

‘There are 850 lines for Henry — it’s a massive role to master,’ Grandage said. He explained that the play explores many themes, including nationalism and leadership, though the more resonant topic, he noted, would be the debate over the moral dilemma of war.

The Henry V ensemble will feature veteran thespians including Ron Cook (Pistol), Michael Hadley (Canterbury), Norman Bowman (Nym) and James Laurenson as Exeter. But Chorus will be played by up-and-coming Ashley Zhangazha.

Bond shakes a bucket

Samantha Bond, 007’s former Miss Moneypenny and Downton Abbey star, was left a little shaken and stirred herself when she read some sad statistics.

She informed me that 4 per cent of actors work all the time. ‘The Judi Denches,’ Samantha explained. And 11 per cent work most of the time. ‘I’m an 11 per center,’ Samantha added.

And the rest struggle through, looking for jobs all of the time. ‘Most have secondary or even third jobs, and a lot teach,’ the actress said. ‘There’s no job security and it’s pretty tough if you fall ill and there’s no money coming in and there are children involved.’

She was speaking as a trustee of Acting For Others, the collective name used for the Combined Theatrical Charities which has raised close to £2 million for the 16 charities under its umbrella.