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It is probably the first time the curtain has fallen on a three-hour performance of a Shakespearean tragedy with the audience screaming as if they were at a pop gig.
Last night actor Jude Law convinced 780 young Londoners - many of whom were new to the theatre - that watching Hamlet was a gripping way to spend their evening.
The students, all aged under 26 and from schools and drama colleges across the capital, were given free tickets. It was the climax of a year-long West End season at the Wyndham's Theatre for the Donmar Warehouse production, which has used affordable pricing to encourage a wider, younger audience to fall in love with theatre.
If last night's explosion of more than five minutes of rapturous applause after hours of remarkably un-fidgety concentration is anything to go by, it seems to be working.
Hollywood star Law's critically acclaimed and impassioned portrayal of the Danish prince driven to the brink of insanity in his attempt to avenge his father's death had its young audience hooked. There were collective gasps when his seething anger boiled over and waves of infectious giggles at his irreverent behaviour.
Michael Grandage, the play's director and the artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse, had pared down the text to ensure the action moved along at brisk pace.
Faduma Hassan, 18, from John Kelly sixth form in Neasden, said: "I was screaming because it was wicked. And I don't even fancy Jude Law. I've been to two plays before but I feel asleep in them. This one was different because you could really relate to Jude Law being so angry and crazy. It's changed my mind about theatre."
Law, who was born in Blackheath, was mobbed by more than 100 fans at the stage door after the performance and spent 15 minutes signing autographs and posing for pictures.
He said: "They were a fantastic audience. Tonight was a wonderful and important night. Creating the next generation of theatregoers is vital to keep the work we do alive."
Grandage said: "It was incredible. They all sat focused in total concentration like an adult audience and then they just erupted like a volcano at the end. I don't think I've seen a reaction like it before.
"People worry that today's young people have short attention spans and want digital excitement but you can keep them coming to the theatre if you keep producing engaging plays. And that's the director's responsibility."
Reader views (9)
I saw it last Sunday, it was magnicent! Jude Law is a huge actor. I came from Paris to London on purpose to see this play!
- Thalestris De Witt, Paris, France
I saw his high-octane Hamlet last month. Jude Law is a helluvan actor and proves here to be a fine human being too.
- Starstruck, Canada
I saw this play on Sunday and it was oustanding. Jude Law is so passionate and energetic, funny, insane, tortured, angry, so much so that you get really drawn into the character and the cast are excellent. He is totally absorbing as Hamlet. Polonius is extremly witty and really made me laugh and Penelope Wilton as Gertrude is magnificent. Jude Law has done himself very proud with this role and I really hope he carries on with more theatre soon - because I'll be there as I am sure thousands of others will. A fantastic way to spend an Sunday.
- Jane Burton, Kent
Jude you shakeyliscous
- Freddie Jack, USA
I'm seeing this Hamlet in NYC in October, and am looking forward to it so much! Everything I read about it manages to whet my appetite even more.
- Sheryl, US
Bravo Jude !
You Rock the House with Hamlet !!
- Kim, N C USA
Shakespeare for Dummies - great!
- Blue Baby, London
i will be seeing this play in 13 days and i simply cannot wait. the thought of seeing this remarkable actor as the melancholy dane has my heart pumping out of my chest....bravo jude.
- Dolores Craeg, florida...usa
i went to see the play and it was fab. i had no idea what to expect from jude laws performance and i must say he's got great energy, and passion-in my opinion he's better on stage than on film. i may be 17 and it was the first performance of Hamlet i have seen, but i was glad to have gone-it was certainly hard to not laugh and enjoy the play.
- Cressida Jones, london, england
