At the forefront of Shakespeare in Denmark, Hamletscenen is an innovative Danish company that facilitates the classic works with a mind to broadening their appeal for a modern audience. Operating out of offices on the beautiful and highly appropriate grounds of Elsinore’s Kronborg castle (the Bard’s setting for his play Hamlet), the second half of Hamletscenen’s summer season is about to commence with a three part program that runs through early August. All performances are in English with Danish subtitles.
As You Like It
First up is a production of the pastoral comedy romance As You Like It from the UK’s world famous Shakespeare’s Globe company. The play runs the gamut of Shakespeare’s comic trademarks; cross-dressing, slapstick tomfoolery, sharp repartee and misconstrued love notes. The company breathes new life into this beloved play after doing the same with Hamlet last year. That production was a sell out in Kronborg and Hamletscenen are confident this year is set to continue the trend. With the setting for this play traditionally being outdoors, the performance in the castle’s courtyard promises magical contributions by the seagulls and the play of light and shadow as day fades into night… You’re also allowed to bring picnics to eat before and after the show.
Aug 1- Sun 5; 20.00; adm 395kr; Discount: Price for people in group of 5 or more: 250kr www.billetten.dk
Macbeth
Hosting another world-famous company, Hamletscenen continues the high standards of their summer season with Sweden’s musical storytellers: the ‘Romeo & Julia Kören’ choir. Utilising a unique blend of drama, dance and song, the familiar Scottish tragedy is interwoven with Clément Janequin’s vocal compositions of La Guerre. Janequin serves to emphasise and underpin the soaring drama of Macbeth’s bravery, madness and ultimate destruction. The drama will again occupy the castle’s courtyard.
Aug 7 + Aug 8; 21.00; adm 395kr; Discount: Price for people in group of 5 or more: 250kr www.billetten.dk
Hamlet: Film & DJ
Sven Gade’s cult film version from 1921 stars one of silent cinema’s first sex symbols – Asta Nielsen, an internationally recognised Danish Diva of the era, in the title role. One of several revisionist versions that feature a female Hamlet, this film tells the story of a queen’s daughter, raised as a prince and determined to take over the throne in wake of war. Neilsen gives a luminous, intense performance that drives the entire film. Musical accompaniment comes in the form of booming Danish DJ Komet and Mike Sheridan who will create a live electronic soundtrack promising an arresting combination of old and new.
´August 10 21.00; adm 200kr www.billetten.dk
Shakespeare at Hamlet’s Castle
Kronborg Castle, Kronborg 13, 3000 Helsingør; Starts Aug 1, Ends Aug 10; 4921 6979, www.hamletscenen.dk
