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Alas, poor Yorick, you are too much of a distraction
LOUISE JURY CHIEF ARTS CORRESPONDENT03.12.08
The Royal Shakespeare Company has decided it will no longer use a human skull in its production of Hamlet in case it distracts the audience.
The skull of concert pianist and Holocaust survivor Andrew Tchaikowsky has been used in the famous "Alas, poor Yorick!" scene for the play in Stratford-upon-Avon, which stars David Tennant.
Audiences in Stratford were unaware it was real until Tennant revealed that Mr Tchaikowsky bequeathed his skull to the RSC because it was his dying wish to have it used for Hamlet. The Doctor Who star, who was the first actor to use Mr Tchaikowsky's skull, will now use a fake one when the production opens in London tonight.
A spokesman for the RSC said now the secret was out it would be "too distracting for the audience". But Mr Tchaikowsky's former agent and friend Terry Harrison said he was "disappointed" by the decision and that his client, who died of cancer in 1982, "hated" the use of a plastic skull.
Reader views (3)
The Skull and the forged tickets are just publicity stunts to get people to go to the show!
- Gwaddilove, london,ENGLAND
Surely David Tennant being in Hamlet is more distracting for the audience, as I am sure most are only going to see him.
I feel bad that Mr Tchaikowskys' dying wish couldn't be carried out for longer. Perhaps, they can swap skulls again in a few months without telling anyone on condition that this time David keeps his mouth shut!
- Smb, London, UK
How unfortunate that this skull has become such a bone of contention for the RSC.
- Keith, Kings Cross, London, UK
