The Peruvian theatre company Teatro La Plaza, known for it’s mission to push the boundaries of dramatic art in directions generally neglected by conventional theatre, is now performing at London’s Barbican Theatre with its ground-breaking production of ‘Hamlet’.
The modern interpretation of one of William Shakespeare's most famous plays is the work of Peruvian producer and director Chela de Ferrari, known for her insightful versions of Shakespearean dramas that surprise and pose questions to audiences.
The production is unusual for performing with an eight man cast of actors born with Down syndrome who continually switch roles throughout the play.
Whilst promoting awareness of the condition by using Shakespeare’s drama to entertain while remaining faithful to the work, more importantly perhaps, what unfolds is a unique theatrical experience which combines horror with humour that the playwright would have been proud of.
Each actor performs the leading roles of the play in his own way, highlighting his or her particular abilities whether they be dance, vocal or facial expression to convey the drama, as well as the particular challenges that confront those that live with this particular physical condition. This permits each actor to demonstrate his or her versatility, whether playing the prince himself, his father’s ghost, the uncle who murders his father and marries his widow, Hamlet’s girl friend Ophelia or her prattling old father, Polonius.
The result is a stunningly entertaining and powerful dramatic experience which, as well as conveying the existential message of the play, obliges the audience to recognise that human beings with Down syndrome are as able to express the full range of human emotions as anybody else, perhaps more so.
On our way out, we overheard a gentleman, glowing with emotion, remark: "That may have just been the best production of Hamlet I've ever seen."
The London premiere of Hamlet by Teatro La Plaza runs at The Barbican Theatre 24 – 27 April barbican.org.uk
and continues at Theatre Royal Brighton as part of Brighton Festival 9-11 May 2025
Cast
Octavio Bernaza
Jaime Cruz
Lucas Demarchi
Manuel García
Diana Gutierrez
Cristina León Barandiarán
Ximena Rodríguez
Álvaro Toledo
Playwright, director and founder of Teatro La Plaza Chela De Ferrari
