The rest is silence: Hamlet at the Kosmos Theater
The rest is silence: Hamlet at the Kosmos Theater
Another school year, another production of Vienna’s English Theatre, another classic for the senior tour which was attended on 17 and 18 November 2025 by classes 3, 4, and the graduating classes: Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Lies, betrayal, revenge, murder. Can one get bigger than that? Hardly. Boiled down to lesson-length, the show which featured 3 actors and one actress was a fast-paced, modernized adaption which, fortunately, did not leave out some of the most famous quotes in English literature:
“There are more things in heaven and earth, than are dreamt of in our philosophy” (act 1). “There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so” (act 2). „Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.“ (act 2), „The lady protests too much, methinks,” (act 3) and of course “To be, or not to be, that is the question” (act 3). But since “Brevity is the soul of wit” (act 2): “The rest is silence” (final act).
Actually, the rest was long applause. The four British actors managed to sustain our students’ interest and enthralled them with their live music, songs, dances, and stage presence. No scrolling, no talking, instead attentive listening: Our students really enjoyed the performance and afterwards chatted animatedly with the actors. As always, VET delivered. Curtain. (zlbu)
