cherrybatched:Benedict Cumberbatch – a Theatrical Timeline,...

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Benedict Cumberbatch – a Theatrical Timeline, 2001 - 2015

As Benedict Cumberbatch prepares to begin previews in Lyndsey Turner’s production of ‘Hamlet’ at the Barbican, we decided to take a trip down memory lane by looking at the ‘Sherlock’ star’s most acclaimed stage roles to date. 

Whilst ‘Hamlet’ is certainly Cumberbatch’s highest profile role, he is no stranger to Shakespeare and classical texts, thanks to seasons at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park which saw him take on a great collection of the Bard’s famous characters. He went on to tread the boards at the off-West End Almeida Theatre and the intimate Royal Court, before taking the National Theatre by storm in two of their most popular productions.

2001 – ’Love’s Labour’s Lost’ and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ (Open Air Regent’s Park)

In his first season with the New Shakespeare Company, Cumberbatch took on roles in two comedies, Ferdinand in  ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’ and the lover Demetrius in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Both productions were well reviewed at the charming open air venue, and he was nominated for an Ian Charleson Award for Best Classical Stage Performance for his role as Ferdinand.  

2002 – Oh What a Lovely War, As You Like It (Orlando), Romeo and Juliet (Benvolio),  Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park

Cumberbatch returned to Ian Talbot’s Open Air Theatre the following season for a varied mix of shows that ran in repertory over the summer months:

Oh What a Lovely War (23 July 2002 – 3 September 2002)

Joan Littlewood’s famous musical chronicling the horrors of the First World War told through songs and original contemporary material starred Cumberbatch alongside John Conroy and Liza Sadovy. The production was met with modest reviews, described as “a brittle, funny and polished production but one that doesn’t quite deliver the full emotional impact of this highly charged show” by the Financial Times. It marked Cumberbatch’s first foray into professional musical theatre on the London stage.

As You Like It (10 June 2002 – 7 September 2002)

The first Shakespeare in the season was directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and once again starred Cumberbatch as the romantic lead, this time the “brave, chivalrous, tender, modest, smart, strong, handsome and beloved by all” Orlando. He starred opposite Rebecca Johnson as Rosalind in a production that The Guardian described as “a touch of class”, with a “clean and clear” approach, raising the profiles of both performers. 

Romeo and Juliet (5 June 2002 – 5 September 2002)

The second production in the season included Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’, directed by Dominic Hill. Set in the heat of a post-war Italian summer, Cumberbatch starred as Benvolio, Romeo’s cousin who attempts to prevent violence between the two households. 

2004 – The Lady From the Sea (Almeida) 16 May to 28 June 2004

This new production of Ibsen’s 1888 drama reopened the Almeida Theatre after renovation, in a production directed by Trevor Nunn. The late Natasha Richardson played the lead role of Ellida, with Cumberbatch playing Lyngstrand, a talentless sculptor who is dying of consumption in what was a breakout role for the actor in a high profile production.

2005 – Hedda Gabler, Almeida Theatre, 16 March 2005 - 30 April 2005,  and Duke of York’s Theatre, 25 May to 6 August 2005

Benedict returned to the north London venue a year later, this time in a leading role in one of Ibsen’s most popular plays. He played George Tesman opposite Eve Best as the title role in a production directed by Richard Eyre and designed by Rob Howell. The overall production received excellent notices and went on to transfer to the Duke of York’s Theatre in the West End. Cumberbatch was nominated for his first Olivier Award for his performance at the 2006 ceremony, but lost out to Noma Dumezweni for 'A Raisin in the Sun’.

2007 – Rhinoceros (Berenger), 27 September – 15 December 2007,  The Arsonists (Eisenring) – Royal Court 6 November to 15 December 2007

Cumberbatch made his Royal Court début in a production of Eugene Ionesco’s comedy, directed by Dominic Cooke in a new translation by Martin Crimp. He starred in the lead role of Berenger, alongside Zawe Ashton, Michael Begley and Paul Chahidi. Following the run, he remained at the Sloane Square venue to take on the role of Eisenring in 'The Arsonists’ by Max Frisch, in a new translation by Alistair Beaton, directed by Ramin Grey.

2010 – After the Dance (David Scott-Fowler) – National Theatre, 1 June to 11 August 2010

Transitioning to a much bigger stage, Cumberbatch took on a role in a rare revival of Rattigan’s 'After the Dance’ at the National’s Lyttelton Theatre directed by Thea Sharrock. The production went on to win multiple Olivier Awards and excellent reviews. Cumberbatch starred alongside Nancy Carroll and Jenny Galloway in the lead role of David, a socialite who spends his sober moments researching a futile book until the beautiful Helen decides to save him, shattering his marriage and learning too late the depth of both David’s indolence and his wife’s undeclared love. 

2011 – Frankenstein (Frankenstein/Creature) – National Theatre, 23 Feb to 2 May 2011

One of the biggest moments of Cumberbatch’s theatrical career came as he took on a double role in a new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 'Frankenstein’ along with Johnny Lee Miller, who alternated the roles of Frankenstein and his creature. Directed by Danny Boyle with designs by Mark Tildesley, this was one of the National Theatre’s biggest hits and saw Cumberbatch take home the Olivier Award for Best Actor. He also won the Evening Standard Theatre Award and the Critic’s Circle Award for the same role.

2013 – National Theatre 50 Years on Stage- (Rosencrantz)

Cumberbatch returned to the National Theatre to help celebrate the venue’s 50th anniversary in 2013. In a specially arranged gala performance, Cumberbatch played Rosencrantz in a section of 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’, Tom Stoppard’s absurdist tragicomedy which sees 'Hamlet’ through the eyes of two minor characters.

2015 – Hamlet (Hamlet) – Barbican

Now prepared to take on the role of a lifetime, Cumberbatch will play one of the greatest theatrical characters ever written. After the production was announced in summer 2014, tickets sold out within hours, making it the fastest selling theatrical event of all time.

30.7.2015 (x)

Great overview!