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sujuv's review against another edition
3.0
I would give this book 3 1/2 stars if Goodreads allowed (!). I think part of the reason it didn't hit four stars for me was that it wasn't quite what I expected, though it did a pretty darn good job being what it is. The book is about the remarkable feat of the Globe Theatre taking Hamlet to every country in the world (or at least the people of every country) over two years. I was expecting more of a travelogue style and while there was some of that, the author (who was the Globe's leader at the time) admits he was not on the entire tour so that book is for one of the actors to write. He does include interesting anecdotes from the places where he joined them and then connects the situations in different parts of the world to the play. And he's generally successful at doing that. What really comes through is his passion for theater and his open heart for the world, which in the times we live in I found truly moving.
especiallysarah's review against another edition
4.0
It's an absolutely incredible achievement and there are some amazing stories but Dominic never uses one word when eight will do.
Still when you've organised an actual worldwide tour you're probably allowed a few extraneous words.
Still when you've organised an actual worldwide tour you're probably allowed a few extraneous words.
agbrom73's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.0
berlinbibliophile's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
My impression after finally finishing the book is that I would have loved to see the show, but I would hate to have a conversation with Dominic Dromgoole. The book is less about the actual tour and more about his self-aggrandizement. He opines on Shakespeare, Culture, War, Islam, and the Human Condition with a smug superiority and a strong vibe of the British Colonialist, the only one who understands them truly. All other theatre productions are apparently either underambitious or overpretentious, he's the only one who gets it right. And it was infuriating to read page after page of Dromgoole retelling anecdotes of himself being super funny with politicians he likes (Obama), and laying down epic burns on politicians he doesn't (third most powerful man in Russia), and totally dunks on directors more famous than himself. I am so, so glad the book is over...
esther_2409's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
qqjj's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
oneday_atbookland's review against another edition
3.0
If you're not a fan of Hamlet, you'll obviously want to pass on this book. The author himself didn't go on the whole tour so there isn't as much about the tour as I would like. It was really neat to learn about the different interpretations they did along the tour (such as a female Hamlet) but it felt like there was too much of the author and his feelings than the general tour. Overall, a good read if you're a fan of this play.
myrandajo's review against another edition
I'll come back later but it's not the moment.
lgiegerich's review against another edition
5.0
An absolute delight from beginning to end. Nothing groundbreaking in terms of criticism/interpretation, but some interesting ideas that made me pause, & just a wholeheartedly lovely description of what must have been the ultimate tour, & how wonderful theater can be.