Watching Shakespeare in the open air is a wonderful way to spend a balmy summer's evening.

And there can be few better spots than the Pavilion Gardens. The swirling turrets and domes of George IV's extravagant seaside residence make a perfect backdrop.

But there have been thousands of productions of Hamlet before and since the Pavilion was erected - and this was not one of the best.

Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern raised a number of laughs but the rest of the play was rather flat.

Actor-director Robert Williamson's blond highlights, leather boots and leather giblet left me with a vision of a biker-style Hamlet rather than an anguished prince.

There is no denying Emily Lloyd looked the part as Ophelia but her stilted delivery and movements left many visibly cringing.

Award-winning Hollywood actress she may be, but Shakespearean damsel she is not.

After her first scene, the rest of the cast seemed a hundred times better - generosity indeed.

One of the most passionate moments came from the audience. After the interval a few people had histrionics over other spectators smoking. Unlike Hamlet, they had no qualms in rising to action - one woman throwing her bottle of water over a couple.

Despite any criticism of the play, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

The key is not to go expecting the definitive Hamlet.

As I learnt last year watching Romeo and Juliet, it is hard to concentrate fully with screeching seagulls, sirens and the shouts of passing stag nights.

Go to sip wine and picnic in stunning surroundings, while listening to Shakespeare and you can't go wrong.