To go or not to go...

Cumberbatch kills it...

Last year the internet nearly died due to the overwhelming response to Hamlet tickets going on sale.The fool that I am arrived 6 mins late and was promptly placed at the end of the digital queue. Behind person 17857. Then and there I gave up all hope of seeing Cumberbatch play Hamlet and went on with my life.

The second blow? I didn't win in the ballots either. The ordeal was quickly becoming as tragic as the play itself. THEN I received an email to say I could still try get returned tickets. That's it, I was determined to nab a couple. After a few (lots and lots) clicks of the refresh button and trying a few (lots and lots) different options of dates, I managed to nab 2 tickets at the £30 mark. If you have a few more spare pennies then it might be easier but I didn't really feel like paying £90+ a pop.

Months later, it was THE day. We would finally get to see Cumberbatch as Hamlet. So off we headed to the Barbican and up and up the stairs to the nosebleed section. To be fair the seats weren't that high and we were able to see the whole stage. Except for those bits obstructed by lights and the safety bar. As long as you're ok sitting slightly crooked then it's a good result for £30.

It's hard to do something unique with a play that's been done to death (ha! see what I did there?) but I would say this was! Without giving too much away, the sets and props were majestic and amazing. Effects and music were spot on and of course.... the acting. The acting was amazing. Having heard some reviews that Cumberbatch wasn't quite hitting the mark or the rest of the cast being a bit meh, I was pleasantly surprised! At half time I was left in awe and by the end, drained. It's full on though there's a few moments when you think 'C'mon... get on with it!'. 

Overall, money well spent! If only it wasn't so hard to get a ticket...