Globe Theater brings world tour of Shakespeare’s Hamlet to Belize

Malu Ansaldo

Tuesday, Augus 12, 2014. AARON HUMES Reporting: It is one of his most recognized plays, and today, for one day only, there were performances by a visiting London company of the William Shakespeare play The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, usually referred to by its title character’s name.

Shakespeare’s Globe Theater Company of London is producing performances of the play in a world tour that began in April of this year in honor of Shakespeare’s 450th birthday and has already been to 32 countries.

The Globe’s International Tour Associate, Malu Ansaldo, told us that the idea originated from its hosting of international companies in London during the 2012 Summer Olympiad.

But how does the play, performed in the traditional English of Shakespeare’s time, translate to modern audiences?

Naeem Hayat

Actor playing the title role, Naeem Hayat, says that the play’s values appeal to all humanity – or as Hamlet himself might put it, “the play’s the thing.”

According to Hayat, it is a role he doesn’t get tired of playing because every performance represents an opportunity to reach new people and places with such timeless issues as family, politics, conscience and the value of life and personal happiness.

Actress playing Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude, Miranda Foster, says the 16-member troupe draws its inspiration from the power of Shakespeare’s poetry.

She says audiences who watch them can easily follow along because many recognize the play and its timeless characters.

Miranda Foster

The troupe, to keep things fresh, circulates roles among its performers – which may occasionally result in gender role reversals for female actors playing male characters – in Shakespeare’s time, it was generally the other way around.

“Globe to Globe Hamlet” played two performances today, one for children at 3:00 p.m. and the main performance at 7:00 p.m. tonight, both at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts.

The children’s performance is free but the adult performance costs $20 general admission and $50 reserved.

The proceeds of the performance will be donated to Lifeline Foundation, a co-sponsor along with the British High Commission and National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), to be used to fund projects for the benefit of the children of Belize.

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