Monitor - Prince of Denmark
Huw Wheldon bravely referees this clash of the titans as Peter O'Toole, Orson Welles and veteran thespian Ernest Milton compete to present the definitive analysis of 'Hamlet'. The atmosphere and some of the language used reflect this progamme's original late-night timeslot. This programme is incomplete and has some audio drop-out.
At the time this programme was made, Peter O'Toole was enjoying his first taste of stardom, having been nominated for an Oscar for his leading role in David Lean's masterpiece, 'Lawrence of Arabia'. During the same year (1963), he would also star as Hamlet in the National Theatre's inaugural performance, directed by Laurence Olivier. O'Toole's stage credentials were impeccable, as he had been recruited to the Royal Shakespeare Company by Peter Hall at the tender age of 26.
