Central London is in lockdown preparing for the march of the Cumberbitches, as the Barbican Theatre prepares for Benedict Cumberbatch to take to the stage to play ‘Hamlet’ later this week.
The Times reports that the theatre, in the well-heeled residential estate of the Barbican in the City’s Square Mile, has laid on extra security “to cope with the popularity of the actor”. Cumberbatch has a dedicated squadron of ultra-fanatic (and mainly female) followers, who are prepared to travel across the world in pursuit of a glimpse of their hero, dubbed by the media as ‘the Cumberbitches’.
Benedict Cumberbatch will be starring in ‘Hamlet’ at the Barbican this week
It was announced way back in January 2014 that the 39 year old actor would be playing the lead in Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’, directed by Lyndsey Turner. Fans will be descending on the Barbican ahead of the play’s first performance to the public on Wednesday (August 5th), where 30 tickets priced at £10 each will be released.
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Tickets sold on the internet disappeared in a matter of minutes at the start of 2014, and have reportedly been changing hands for prices upwards of £1,500. However, thorough checks of identification have been put in place in order to prevent ticket touting, meaning that some of these people might conceivably be denied entry.
Naomi Roper, a lawyer who runs the fan site Cumberbatchweb in her spare time and has dedicated months to promoting ticket resales, told The Times she was “slightly concerned” about these ID checks.
“Many bought as soon as tickets went on sale and sadly had their circumstances change or couldn’t afford international flights, so have passed their tickets on to ticketless fans,” Roper said. “They’re coming from the US, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Tokyo, Peru, etc, to see him.”
The Barbican has already announced that Cumberbatch will not be signing autographs and will not accept any gifts from fans, and that the ‘Sherlock’ star and international sex symbol will be making a swift exit after the performance.
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