H-A-M-L-E-T
THEATRE PREVIEW in Daily Xpress
By Pawit Mahasarinand
SPECIAL TO DAILY XPRESS
Published on February 26, 2009
THEATRE PREVIEW in Daily Xpress
By Pawit Mahasarinand
SPECIAL TO DAILY XPRESS
Published on February 26, 2009
THEATRE PREVIEWDISCO SHAKESPEARE!
The one-man show 'Hamlet: The Techno Drama' should be a stunner
Having proved itself with adaptations of "Waiting for Godot" and "Arms and the Man", the New Theatre Society, led by veteran director Damkerng Thitapiyasak, is about to tackle one of the most complex plays of all time.
"To be or not to be," the promotions say, "that is the … sentence" - and you know right away that this is going to be a different species of "Hamlet".
For one thing, it's a solo performance. For another, the full title is "Hamlet: The Techno Drama".
"It's set in the modern day," Damkerng explains.
"It's like entering a discotheque where trance and techno music are filling the air, and my script focuses on Hamlet's confusion. In my opinion, what the other characters view in his actions as madness is simply him escaping from his misery."
Having proved itself with adaptations of "Waiting for Godot" and "Arms and the Man", the New Theatre Society, led by veteran director Damkerng Thitapiyasak, is about to tackle one of the most complex plays of all time.
"To be or not to be," the promotions say, "that is the … sentence" - and you know right away that this is going to be a different species of "Hamlet".
For one thing, it's a solo performance. For another, the full title is "Hamlet: The Techno Drama".
"It's set in the modern day," Damkerng explains.
"It's like entering a discotheque where trance and techno music are filling the air, and my script focuses on Hamlet's confusion. In my opinion, what the other characters view in his actions as madness is simply him escaping from his misery."
And the miserable lunatic alone onstage?
"I've seen different versions of the play, by visionary directors like Robert LePage, Robert Wilson and Peter Brook," says Damkerng, "and I found that it can be told entirely through Hamlet's point of view.
"I experimented by using only his soliloquies and monologues and putting them all together - cutting the play down to the core - and found that the whole story still makes sense.
One actor
"All the major characters are still there, but they're being portrayed by just one actor."
"I've seen different versions of the play, by visionary directors like Robert LePage, Robert Wilson and Peter Brook," says Damkerng, "and I found that it can be told entirely through Hamlet's point of view.
"I experimented by using only his soliloquies and monologues and putting them all together - cutting the play down to the core - and found that the whole story still makes sense.
One actor
"All the major characters are still there, but they're being portrayed by just one actor."
Damkerng chose one of Thailand's most charismatic stage performers, Nophand Boonyai, whom he directed in last year's "Breaking the Surface".
"He has a rebel's character and frequently comes up with new ideas. I suggested some line changes to make them more modern, but he insisted on memorising the poetic ones."
"He has a rebel's character and frequently comes up with new ideas. I suggested some line changes to make them more modern, but he insisted on memorising the poetic ones."
Nophand's performance will be augmented with projected images arranged by Banphot Wutthipreecha - tarot cards to indicate the different characters and video to help present the royal ghost.
HAMLET IN DA HOUSE
HAMLET IN DA HOUSE
"Hamlet: The Techno Drama" is at the Crescent Moon Space
at the Pridi Banomyong Institute.
at the Pridi Banomyong Institute.
Showtime is 7.30 nightly from next Wednesday to Sunday
(March 4 to 15).
Tickets are Bt250 to Bt350.
(March 4 to 15).
Tickets are Bt250 to Bt350.
Call (086) 787 7155
and or see http://newtheatresociety.hi5.com/
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