The celebrated theatre company Northern Broadsides makes a welcome return to the Gaiety Theatre later this month with their highly acclaimed new production of Hamlet. Performances start at 7.30pm nightly from 19 to 21 May with a matinee at 2pm on Saturday 21 May. Northern Broadsides’ haunting production, directed by Conrad Nelson, employs theatrical sleight of hand to conjure ghosts of the dead and demons of the mind bringing to the stage an inventive and insightful take on the tortured Danish prince. Celebrated for their revelatory approach to Shakespeare and featuring a multi-talented company of charismatic actors, Northern Broadsides has won a loyal following worldwide. The company last visited the Isle of Man with Comedy of Errors and Sweet William in 2005. Hamlet’s cast features Nicholas Shaw in the role of Hamlet (‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore and Anthology, Liverpool Everyman Theatre), Becky Hindley (best known as the stalker Charlotte Hoyle in Coronation Street) as Gertrude, Natalie Dew (Arabian Nights, Royal Shakespeare Company) as Ophelia and Finetime Fontayne (Othello, Northern Broadsides) as Claudius. The production, set in the post war era, also features brothers David Colvin (Black Watch, National Theatre of Scotland) as Rosencrantz and Richard Colvin (Assassins, Sheffield Theatres) as Guildenstern, appearing together on stage for the first time. Hamlet is co produced with Staffordshire’s award winning New Vic Theatre. The Isle of Man Arts Council is supporting the production’s visit to the Gaiety Theatre. Tickets for Hamlet are priced from ?16 and are available on the Ticket Hotline 01624 600555 the Welcome Centre or villagaiety.com. Quintin Gill, MHK, Arts Council Chairman, said: ‘This is a production for everyone. The Arts Council’s support in bringing Northern Broadsides to the Isle of Man provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to see a more contemporary production. Don’t miss the chance to catch it – just look at the show’s reviews for confirmation how brilliant this production is.’ Hon David Cretney MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, said: ‘It is with the support of the Isle of Man Arts Council that the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure is able to keep the programming at the Gaiety Theatre varied with highly acclaimed productions such as this one from Northern Broadsides.’ “Daringly theatrical and heartbreakingly human” The Observer “"A fine, vivid Hamlet jazzed up for new era of rage and revenge" The Times “"Nelson's production is both vivid, imaginative and accessible" The Times "Outstanding Shakespeare: Shakespeare to get excited about and to thrill the senses" The Stage "Nelson's production is both vivid, imaginative and accessible" The Times **** Yorkshire Post **** whatsonstage.com **** http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2011/mar/13/hamlet-new-vic-northern-broadsides-review Links www.northern-broadsides.co.uk Video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52CeWp-A_uk -Ends-