It’s an enviable position to be in, gazing into Benedict Cumberbatch’s eyes every night.

But that’s what former Maidstone schoolboy Rudi Dharmalingam has to do for his role in the hugely popular National Theatre production of Hamlet.

Such was the excitement for the stage show in London, which will also be broadcast live into cinemas across the country this week, that tickets sold out in minutes.

Hamlet, live from the Barbican

For the cinema screening, the production will be filmed live as it’s staged to be beamed into cinemas around the world, turning the audience from several hundred at the Barbican to potentially millions.

But Rudi, who play’s Hamlet’s friend, Guildenstern, is unfazed. “They’re very specific about us not changing our performances for the camera. But at the end of the day it is live theatre and anything can happen.”

It’s been a huge role for him already although the 34-year-old is reluctant to call it his ‘big break’. “It’s very hard to say whether this is the big one for me.

“This is a very high profile show because of Benedict and Lyndsey Turner (the show’s director). They’ve created the best creative team they could lay their hands on and it is lovely to be part of it. It has been the most incredible experience to be involved in.”

'Benedict is lovely; approachable and generous. He is also very humble'

Benedict may not lord it over anyone, but that doesn’t stop his fellow actors being slightly in awe.

“When I am looking into his eyes on stage I do occasionally find myself thinking ‘This is Benedict Cumberbatch’. But you have to listen and to concentrate on your intentions in the scene. That kind of thing can eat you up.

“He is lovely; approachable and generous. He is also very humble and has got time for everyone really.”

The run has in fact been tailored to Benedict’s filming schedule, as it ends on Saturday, October 31, to allow for him to go off to film Dr Strange for Marvel.

Rudi’s very enthusiastic about the National Theatre Live screenings. “It’s a great way of making theatre accessible.”

Rudi may be hitting the big time now but he owes his theatrical career to two drama teachers from Maidstone’s Invicta Grammar School, Juliet Miles now retired, and Nikki Atkin-Reeves, who persuaded the schoolboy, then focusing on his table tennis career – he was No.2 in Kent at the time – to go on a National Youth Theatre summer course.

“I owe a lot to them,” he said.

DETAILS

To see or not to see, that is the question. Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet with Academy Award nominee Benedict Cumberbatch will be broadcast by National Theatre Live to cinemas at another encore showing on Tuesday, November 24 at 2pm and 7pm.

Details of all Kent screenings can be found at ntlive.com