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Hamlet (Kurita, 2007)

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Hamlet

This 2007 production of Hamlet directed by Yoshihiro Kurita relies on elements of traditional noh theatre, bunraku, and the epic story-telling tradition of Japan to re-imagine Shakespeare’s play. The Hamlet character remains seated at the front of the stage throughout the performance while delivering his lines, as the other characters move behind him like figures from a memory or dream.

28/11/07-1/12/07 – Ryutopia Noh Theatre, Niigata, Japan and 7/12/07-9/12/07 – Tessenkai Noh Theatre, Tokyo, Japan

Performers: Hamlet: Kohchi Hirokazu, Claudius: Tanida Ayumi, Gertrude: Yamaga Haruyo, Ophelia: Machiya Misaki, Laertes: Nakaide Ken, Ghost of Hamlet, the late King of Denmark: Arai Kazuma, Horatio: Minami Takuya, Rosencranz: Murakami Hiroyasu, Guildenstern: Nawa Wakako, Polonius/ Gravedigger: Kurita Yoshihiro, Tsukaima: Nagatomi Chiaki, Ohyama Maeko, Isono Tomoyo, Joruri: Tsurusawa Asazo, and Piano Player: Yokoyama Michiko
Translator / Scriptwriter: Matsuoka Kazuko
Producer: Production Adviser: Sasabe Hiroshi (Ryutopia Theatre section Artistic Director) and Executive Producer: Suzuki Eiko (Ryutopia Manager)
Designers: Choreography of Dolls (for Tsukaima): Tamaki Akihisa, Lighting Designer: Harayama Mikihiro (Ryutopia), Costume Designer: Tokihiro Shingo (Lyric Ltd.), Make-up: Satoh Kei, Prop Designer: Goto Nobuko, Music: Tsurusawa Asazo, Yokoyama Michiko, Sound: Butoh Tatsuya (Ryutopia), Stage Manager: Shiiya Tadahiro (Ryutopia), and Planning: Hoshino Atsushi (Ryutopia), Ishida Satoru (Ryutopia)

Hamlet

Clips

Players arrive

Polonius (played by the director Yoshihiro Kurita) announces the arrival of the players. Hamlet requests that they perform a scene from the Fall of Troy.

Polonius (played by the director Yoshihiro Kurita) announces the arrival of the players. Hamlet requests that they perform a scene from the Fall of Troy. less

preview of Duel scene

Karakuri or mechanized puppets (dolls) duel during a recitation of the Fall of Troy by the players.

Karakuri or mechanized puppets (dolls) duel during a recitation of the Fall of Troy by the players. less

Claudius repents

Hamlet witnesses Claudius praying.

Hamlet witnesses Claudius praying. less

Madness in Ophelia

Ophelia’s movements in the “mad scene” evoke those of the mechanized puppets used elsewhere in the production.more

Ophelia’s movements in the “mad scene” evoke those of the mechanized puppets used elsewhere in the production. less

Duel scene

The duel between Hamlet and Laertes is mimed by mechanized puppets (dolls) while the main characters speak the dialog.

The duel between Hamlet and Laertes is mimed by mechanized puppets (dolls) while the main characters speak the dialog. less

Fall of Troy repeated in Duel scene

During the duel between Laertes and Hamlet, lines from the Fall of Troy are repeated as the Queen, King, and Prince die.

During the duel between Laertes and Hamlet, lines from the Fall of Troy are repeated as the Queen, King, and Prince die. less

Hamlet : Full Video

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