Allan Clayton triumphs as Hamlet at Glyndebourne Festival 2017

Allan Clayton has garnered praise from national critics for his performance as Hamlet in the world premiere of Brett Dean's new opera based on Shakespeare's great tragedy at the Glyndebourne Festival.

A truly collaborative effort, involving a world-class cast, the Glyndebourne Chorus, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Jurowski, the world premiere on Sunday 11 June played to a packed house at Glydnebourne, and was greeted with a rapturous reception.  The opera is destined to become a mainstay in the contemporary operatic canon.

Below are a selection of the glowing reviews that have been showered on Allan since that night:

“Forget Cumberbatch. Forget even Gielgud. I haven’t seen a more physically vivid, emotionally affecting or psychologically astute portrayal of the Prince of Denmark than Allan Clayton gives in this sensational production. From his show of infantile madness in the early scenes, through his heart-rending rejection of Ophelia, to his final unleashing of pent-up psychotic rage, you can’t take your eyes off this deceptively dishevelled, shambling figure.” *****Richard Morrison, The Times, 13 June 2017

“At the centre of it all is Clayton’s Hamlet. There is nothing of the crown prince about him; unkempt and childish, he is an outsider from the start, slouching round with knees and elbows in constant, nervous motion…Clayton takes his tenor to its limits in expressing his desperation, and his slow-burning intensity carries the tragedy to the bitter, grisly end.” ****Erica Jeal, The Guardian, 12 June 2017

“Triumphing yet again with his unimpeachable vocal and acting credentials was tenor Allan Clayton as Hamlet.” ****Cara Chanteau, The Independent, 12 June 2017

“Thus, Dean and Jocelyn immediately place Hamlet's psychological restlessness, which the tremendous tenor Allan Clayton incarnates magnificently throughout his performance as the Dane, to the fore.” ****Mark Valencia, Whatsonstage, 12 June 2017

“Clayton makes a many-sided, tireless Hamlet…” ****Richard Fairman, The Financial Times, 12 June 2017

“Allan Clayton’s Hamlet is physically and vocally tireless.” ****George Hall, The Stage, 12 June 2017

“Allan Clayton acting his socks off in the title-role…” ****Rupert Christiansen, The Daily Telegraph, 12 June 2017