July Performance: Up close and personal with Hamlet the Dane and friends

Kronborg is pretty much cornering the market this year

Annaleah Magnuson

The prince of Denmark returned home to Elsinore to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death last year.

Hamlet Live – which saw the likes of Ophelia, Claudius and Polonius take up residence for three months at Kronborg Castle – gave audience members a unique immersive take on the classic tragedy, and it was such a success that the castle is inviting them back again.

Over 200,000 visitors saw the show, taking thousands of selfies with the cast in the process.

Placed in the authentic surroundings of Kronborg’s splendid castle grounds, visitors were treated to up to 20 scenes from the iconic story acted out in different areas of the sumptuous castle, not discounting the dungeons!

Still in charge is Peter Holst-Beck, who has expertly used immersive narrative to place the play’s dramatics within an authentic historical backdrop. He calls Hamlet Live “a truly unique experience that will warm and excite your hearts”.

Among the cast who will carry the Hamlet Universe on their shoulders is Ian Burns, a noted actor and director based in Copenhagen. The founder of That Theatre Company will be playing the part of Polonius alongside four of his regular collaborators: Marathon co-stars Benjamin Stender and Rasmus-Emil Mortensen (as Hamlet and Claudius), Andew Jeffers (Polonius No 2) and director Barry McKenna (Ian’s stand-in while he is in Greece!).

The audience themselves will also take on a significant role in the theatrics, playing the all-important function of the eyewitness Horatio, Hamlet’s friend and confidante.

Tivoli Pantomime Season
ongoing, ends Sep 24, daily shows; Peacock Theatre, Tivoli; tivoli.dk

Cassander, his daughter Columbine, and her quarrelling suitors Harlequin and Pierrot are four of Tivoli’s most enduring characters – it’s a mystery why. But every year, thousands enjoy their adventures set to the music of Strauss, Mozart and more.

Opera House tours in English
ongoing, ends Aug 20, daily at 11:00 & 13:00; Ekvipagemestervej 10, Cph K; 120kr, kglteater.dk

Beyond the performances, the Opera House is worth a visit on its own, and this tour takes it all in: from Olafur Eliasson’s light sculptures to Per Kirkeby’s copper reliefs and Per Arnoldi’s logo moulded into the foyer floor.

Shakespeare’s Puppets: Othello
ongoing, ends Aug 13, daily 11:00 & 12:30 (not Fri); Kronborg Castle, Helsingør; free with entry to castle

Lene Hummelshøj and Finn Rye Petersen are back with more Shakespearean puppetry, this time with Othello. The show has been adapted for kids – perhaps necessary as the play features racism, treachery, murder and Iago.

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