Tennant to play Hamlet on stage

12 September 2007 - David Tennant is set to take to the stage to play Hamlet in a 2008 Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) production.

The news has finally been confirmed, after months of rumours about the Dr Who actor taking a turn as the Danish prince.

Due to the demands of Tennant's commitment to the RSC, the fifth series of the hit BBC time travel show will now be postponed until 2010.

RSC chief associate Gregory Doran said that he had been impressed by Tennant after observing his performance in As You Like It in 1996.

He remarked that the 36-year-old Scottish performer - who already spent two seasons with the RSC earlier in his career - was "a brilliant wordsmith and a brilliant young classical actor".

It was also revealed by the RSC that Star Trek: The Next Generation's Patrick Stewart will have a role in the production, playing Claudius.

Recently, it was announced that Jude Law was in line to play Hamlet in a separate version of the play which will be directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Kylie Minogue is scheduled to join Tennant in the Tardis when she appears in this year's Dr Who Christmas special.

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