Lee Simonson’s set design for Hamlet exemplified his commitment to merging theatricality with visual symbolism. Eschewing traditional medieval realism, Simonson employed bold, abstract elements to evoke the play’s themes of existential uncertainty and political decay. His layered, suggestive backdrops and stark architectural forms created a brooding, otherworldly atmosphere that mirrored Hamlet’s inner turmoil. Through innovative use of shadow and space, Simonson’s design amplified the tension between action and introspection, crafting a visual landscape that deepened the psychological complexity of Shakespeare’s tragedy.
Lee Simonson’s set design for Hamlet
