"Hamlet" by Boris Nikitin

25 Jun 2018
25 Jun 2018

Hamlet by Boris Nikitin

Based on motives by William Shakespeare

with Julia*n Meding

4&5 July | 7.30 pm | Little Theatre | UCT Hiddingh Campus

“Nikitin’s Hamlet brings the debate on reality in contemporary theatre to a new level” – Theater der Zeit
 
“It's an evening that holds us while making us swing. (...) There are only a few directors who lead theatre to such a critical point as Boris Nikitin currently does.” – Theater Heute
 

 “I have always been confronted with
The ‘being-observed’- For a long time
Since I have been very little.
The thing is whether or not at some point
One goes: Stop it, I too have the right to be seen
As normal. Or whether you say:
Go fuck yourselves with your values
 - Hamlet, by Boris Nikitin and Julia*n Meding

 The Institute for Creative Arts (ICA) in collaboration with Pro Helvetia presents the critically-acclaimed production of Boris Nikitin’s Hamlet, in which the Swiss author and director transforms Shakespeare’s famous work into an experimental contemporary performance. In a mix of documentary play and music-theatre, enigmatic performer and electronic musician Julia*n Meding takes on the role of a contemporary Hamlet who revolts against reality and audience. Like Hamlet rebelling against the Royal Court, Meding agitates, mocks, flirts with and tries to seduce the audience.

Meding repeatedly seizes the microphone to sing raw electropunk, sketchy cover songs, a ballad – words sung as fragments of emotions. Meding’s/Hamlet’s performance moves provocatively between offensive dilettantism and vain jokes, exaggerated gestures and confrontational pose. Is this Meding? Or Hamlet? Is he serious? Or is it all a game? “Is he or isn‘t he”? Is he not both at the same time?
 
The conflicting zones of illusion and reality, individual and society play out as documentary blends with fiction.

No under 16s | 90 min | German with English surtitles

While entrance is free, booking is essential.
RSVP at: ica@uct.ac.za
Subject Line: Hamlet Booking
Include name, contact telephone and number of tickets required.

Photographs courtesy of Boris Nikitin