This afternoon I saw Schaubuhne's HAMLET at the Barbican.  Let me preface this by saying I'm currently reading Helen Freshwater's Theatre & Audience which calls for audience participation (trendy since the '60's) to be more empowering.  I couldn't agree with her more.  As an audience member for HAMLET (I should have known better than to sit in the front row), I was in danger of being sprayed with water, juice, blood and mud, hit by Hamlet - who went through the audience at one point thrusting his muddy hands in people's faces - or finally, as about 3 people had to, hold him, when he accidentally smacked his head on the cement overhang and fell down clutching his bleeding face.  He did, however, fart audibly in my direction and then asked me if I could smell it.  Polonius also videotaped me watching the play within a play.  I wish I had sat in the dress circle.  Now, I am not averse to audience participation at all - except when I don't have a choice in the matter.  And in this two-and-a-half hour production with no intermission (!), I had no choice, and no idea what would fly through the air next.