Agreed on Hamlet + Horatio. (I don't know if I ship it, myself.)

'Slings and Arrows' has spoiled me for Hamlet/Ophelia because the way they play it is that the two actors are having a backstage romance, and a fairly convincing one, so we have the benefit of the two levels of awareness when their scenes are up.

While Patrick Stewart rocked as Claudius, I had a bit of the same problem, he was very hard to buy a murderer, until he talks to Hamlet when he's strapped to the chair, then I came around a little.

I forgot to mention this and the barefooted Hamlet, both of which I found effective! D'oh.

Laertes: my interpretation instructor loves him, but it hasn't completely rubbed off.

I was surprised I didn't love him more in it, as I do love Ten. But I was overall very satisfied. Glad to chat it out with someone, always. :)