Anna Burnside reviews a deconstruction of the classic play that proves to be ‘an uplifting experience.’
On a huge video screen, a baby is born. Peruvian theatre company Teatro La Plaza do not mess around - their Down’s Syndrome cast strip Hamlet down to the essence of its most famous speech and ask what “to be or not to be” means when you have a condition that leads others to question your existence.
They do this within what they promise is a Hamlet like no other. The eight-strong cast more than delivers. Shakespeare might recognise some bits, just, plus there’s a rap, a montage of famous actors who have taken on the lead role, and a Zoom call with Sir Ian McKellen.
Some scenes are tender and delicate, others rambunctious. The male actors share the role of Hamlet and bring their own interpretation to their speeches. A camera takes us into the dressing rooms when the action moves there, and points into the middle of the stage to capture close ups.
A night with gloomy Prince Hamlet is not normally an uplifting experience. By deconstructing the play and weaving in the cast’s own experiences of living with Down’s, this becomes something quite different. It’s not a perfect production, it’s baggy at times and the story thread unravels in several different directions. But the joy on stage is infectious.
The introspective Dane has a party side after all.
Hamlet performed at the Royal Lyceum Theatre as part of the Edinburgh International Festival. Its run has ended.
Photo by Jess Shurte.
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