Hello everyone!
I hope you are all well. I swear I only passed by to wish good holidays and not to scold, but then I read the news!

In the spirit of the checks and balances I've just written about and since anonsy isn't around anymore for the accuracy part, alas, I'll take it on my almost on the beach shoulders to point out a few things to add to the discussion.

At the beginning of May 2016 TH did an interview at BBC4's Front Row with Kermode and Mayo where when asked:"whether there were any other Shakespeare characters he'd like to take on." he said:"I do have my eyes on something...you'll find out very soon, I think." (the podcast is here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b078x6kx)

So this Hamlet production was that, Branagh was busy with Dunkirk, the Garrick Theatre's season he presented and Murder on the Orient Express, ergo the delay. But TH's commitment to it predates Tay-tay.

As for reviews, of course there'll be reviews by critics, it's Branagh and it's Hamlet, the press will buy a ticket and go watch.