Waiting for Hamlet is Purgatory But in a Good Way
Susan Stanley-Carroll says it provides a treat for audiences at the Tabard
Tim Marriott as the Old King and Nicholas Collett as Yorick
March 21, 2026
‘Waiting for Hamlet’, David Visick’s award winning play is now playing until 4 April, at the Theatre at the Tabard. A hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival followed by a successful tour in Australia and America. It won the International Kenneth Branagh New Drama Writing Award in 2018.
David Visick’s innovative idea is based on Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ with a pinch of Harold Pinter’s, ‘Waiting for Godot’, Tom Stoppard’s, ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’ and a smidgeon of a character in Robert Bolt’s ‘Man for All Seasons’.
The space that is an unknown space in ‘Waiting for Godot’ is, in Visick’s play, purgatory. The following words written by Samuel Beckett in, 'Waiting for Godot', “Nothing happens. Nobody comes, nobody goes. It's awful.”, encapsulate scenes in ‘Waiting for Hamlet’.
Fear not, if you are unfamiliar with the above mentioned plays - you will still enjoy this comedy, based on a tragedy, as the humour is bold and subtle. Also the philosophical debates on life and death, power and corruption and the glorious wordplay create excellent entertainment.
On the contrary if you are familiar with the scripts of Hamlet, Godot, and Rosencranz & Guildenstern or the films of these master pieces it will deepen your pleasure.
The exuberant script has been deftly directed by Tim Marriott ( he plays the Old King with wit and aplomb) - however, if he donned a yellow, unkempt wig under his crown, he could reflect some of the characteristics of an instantly recognisable political figure.
Nicholas Collett’s performance as Yorick is riveting. And let’s face it, full on, fair and square, no audience has ever seen Yorick perform on a stage. They have only ever seen his skull. Hamlet says, “ Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.” And now we listen, laugh and contemplate on his words of wisdom, debating the roll of the common man (think Robert Bolt) and the attitude of an ‘Entitled’ man (think of such men and such women today).
Where is the story set? The Old King and his jester are both dead and they are waiting in Purgatory for ‘a call’ to one or the other of the big ‘H’s’ (Heaven or Hell).
Trevor Datson’s sounds and his original theme music plus the lighting by Charlie Stage create the atmosphere of Purgatory and the Great Gateways to Heaven and Hell. As Tom Stoppard wrote in, ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’, “Death followed by eternity the worst of both worlds. It is a terrible thought”.
‘Take Note Theatre at the Tabard’ have, yet again, hit the jackpot bang on with this production. Thanks to the company’s hard working, brilliant producers, Simon and Sarah Reilly. Last year they won The Pub Theatre of the Year.
Susan Stanley-Carroll
Tickets: 19th March - 28th March – £19.50 / £15.50 concessions 1st April - 4th April £23.50 / £19.50 concessions
Running Time: Approximately 70 minutes. There is no interval.
Online booking is available at the theatre’s website.
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