In a stunning fusion of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy with the vibrant culture of Peru, Teatro La Plaza’s Hamlet offers a gripping, modernised take on the classic tale of betrayal, madness, and revenge. Showing at the Theatre Royal Brighton on Friday, May 9 to Sunday 11 May as part of Brighton Festival, this reimagining of the Danish prince’s tale pulsed with an energy that reflects both the timelessness of the original play and the unique, evocative flavour of Peruvian theatre.
Teatro La Plaza’s reimagining of Hamlet is more than just a cultural reinterpretation — it also introduces a sensitive, powerful exploration of inclusion and the human experience through the lens of Down syndrome. A significant aspect of this production is that the cast is all actors with Down syndrome, whose role and presence on stage adds a new layer of complexity to the traditional Shakespearean narrative.
But it is also much more. At the heart of this Hamlet lies an innovative and sensitive reimagining of the play’s structure, which incorporates flipping from the play’s narrative to the actor’s personal struggles, including powerful monologues of vulnerability and expressions of the discrimination faced by the down syndrome community, this as an essential aspect of the performance. In doing so, Teatro La Plaza redefines what it means to “belong” in the Shakespearean world, “to be or not to be” that is the question – and more importantly, what it means to find strength in the most unexpected places.
The show was an absolute privilege and joy to watch, unexpectedly powerful and hilarious, visually beautiful from set lighting to visual films shows on screen; theatre everybody must watch.
Brighton Festival: Tickets
