Al-Hamlet Summit

Synopsis: Video recording of Suleyman al-Bassam’s play performed at the Tokyo International Arts Festival. The play borrows from Shakespeare’s plot to create a poetic and powerful critique of contemporary political scenarios, set amid Middle East discontent. The characters of Shakespeare’s play are delegates in a conference room in an unnamed modern Arab state on the brink of war. Having gained control of a modern Arab state, a ruthless dictator attempts a westernised experiment, in thrall to arms dealers and propped up by US dollars. Yet a catastrophic war is brewing, he is besieged by enemy neighbours from without, and a growing politicised Islam from within, and his predecessor’s son Hamlet is plotting revenge... First part of the Arab Shakespeare trilogy, which evolved from Hamlet in Kuwait (2001).
Language: Arabic
Country: Japan
Medium: Video
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Recording date: Feb 2004
Duration: 92 mins

Director

Writer

Cast

Theatre company: Sulayman Al-Bassam Theatre (SABAB)
Production type: Stage Recordings
Plays: Hamlet
Subjects: Drama
Keywords: Arabia; politics; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Multiculturalism

Notes: A 2004 expanded Arabic version; script and photos are published in a bilingual text (University of Hertfordshire Press, 2006). Expands on the 2002 English-language version, adding scenographic changes such as the "empty space" (grave site at centre stage) and new scenes including the "Horse of War" skit. Arabic-speaking cast members come from Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Kuwait. [From globalshakespeares.mit.edu website].
History: Original production performed in English at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2002. Arabic version commissioned and co-produced by Tokyo International Arts Festival 2004.
Reviews: The entry on Globaslshakespeares.mit.edu has links to articles on the play.

Online URL: https://globalshakespeares.mit.edu/hamlet-al-bassam-sulayman-2004/#video=hamlet-al-bassam-sulayman-2004
Online format: Streamed