The hotly anticipated Hamlet, with Sheen in the title role, opens in October.
It follows David Tennant and Jude Law�s stints as the Dane: the role is considered a definitive point in a young actor�s career. Sheen, 41, said he was coming to it later in life and wanted to make it �difficult and jagged again, unsettling and uncomfortable and disorientating.� Director Ian Rickson makes his Shakespearean debut after Sheen approached him for the job.
The actor said: �The opportunity to tell this story has come up from time to time but it never felt right. Working with someone as inspiring and supportive as Ian, in a space full of possibility like The Young Vic, on a play that speaks to me now more than ever, made me feel this was the right time.�
David Lan, artistic director at the theatre in Waterloo, said: �I�ve long wanted to have Michael and Ian with us. Hamlet can�t help but be one of the events of the year.�
Hamlet will begin performances Oct. 28, prior to an official opening Nov. 9, for a season through Jan. 21 2012.
Lan commented, �Michael Sheen and Ian Rickson are both old colleagues and friends. I have long hoped to have them with us here. To have them together on Hamlet is a gift. It can�t help but be one of the events of the year.�
The production marks the Shakespearean directorial debut of Rickson, who is shortly to be represented on Broadway by the transfer of his Royal Court production of Jerusalem. He is currently directing The Children�s Hour with Keira Knightley and Elisabeth Moss at the West End�s Comedy Theatre. Sheen was last seen on Broadway in Frost/Nixon (reprising his performance as Nixon interrogator David Frost that he originated at the Donmar Warehouse, and also played in the subsequent film version); other Broadway appearances include Mozart in Peter Hall�s revival of Amadeus. The production will be designed by Jeremy Herbert, with costumes by Nicky Gillibrand, lighting by Adam Silverman, sound by Gareth Fry and music by Stephen Warbeck
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