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Human skull abandoned by Hamlet | Human skull abandoned by Hamlet |
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A human skull will no longer appear in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Hamlet as it may distract the audience, the company has said. | A human skull will no longer appear in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Hamlet as it may distract the audience, the company has said. |
The skull of concert pianist and Holocaust survivor Andrew Tchaikowsky has appeared in the Stratford production, starring David Tennant. | The skull of concert pianist and Holocaust survivor Andrew Tchaikowsky has appeared in the Stratford production, starring David Tennant. |
It was his dying wish to have his skull used in Hamlet and he bequeathed it to the RSC. | It was his dying wish to have his skull used in Hamlet and he bequeathed it to the RSC. |
But the company says a fake skull will be used when it transfers to London. | But the company says a fake skull will be used when it transfers to London. |
Tennant was the first actor to use Mr Tchaikowsky's skull during Hamlet's famous grave-digger scene. | Tennant was the first actor to use Mr Tchaikowsky's skull during Hamlet's famous grave-digger scene. |
Audiences in Stratford were unaware the skull belonged to the Oxford pianist, but the secret was revealed by Tennant. | |
The RSC told Channel 4 News that now the secret was out, it would be "too distracting for the audience" if the skull was used. | The RSC told Channel 4 News that now the secret was out, it would be "too distracting for the audience" if the skull was used. |
Mr Tchaikowsky was devoted to Shakespeare, often visiting Stratford-Upon-Avon to see performances of his plays. | Mr Tchaikowsky was devoted to Shakespeare, often visiting Stratford-Upon-Avon to see performances of his plays. |
He died of cancer at the age of 46 in 1982 and donated his organs to medical research, with the exception of his skull. | He died of cancer at the age of 46 in 1982 and donated his organs to medical research, with the exception of his skull. |