Everyone is Hamlet

(CRIENGLISH.com)
Updated: 2008-10-24 10:07

Director Lin Zhaohua's new-versioned stage drama "Hamlet," with Gao Yuanyuan playing Ophelia and actor Pu Cunxin playing Hamlet, went on stage in Beijing Tuesday evening. [Photo: Xinhuanet]

Chinese Director Lin Zhaohua's new-versioned stage drama - "Hamlet", with actress Gao Yuanyuan playing Ophelia and actor Pu Cunxin playing Hamlet, went on stage in Beijing Tuesday evening, the Star Daily reports.

The drama reflected Lin's avant-garde style and played up set designs and role changes to great dramatic effect.

Lin Zhaohua first put "Hamlet" on Beijing's stage in 1990, drawing long queues in front of the box office. The drama that boldly strayed away from the stereotypical versions of Shakespeare's classic play made a big splash at the time.

In this year's version, the stage was designed with astonishing simplicity. Electric fans hanging in the air and a plain chair serving as the king's throne constitute the entire palace.

Lin once again brought his unique perspective to the stage, this time, that "everyone is Hamlet."

Veteran actor Pu Cunxi played Hamlet 18 years ago, and this time returns to the role wearing only a plain pullover, in keeping with the humble theme of this interpretation of the play.

Lin, a unique director acclaimed for his "un-style," fully employed the "role change" method to deconstruct the drama.

In the play, actor Pu plays Hamlet at one moment, but swiftly shifts to the role of his uncle, King Claudius. As there is no costume change involved in this process, some audience members find it difficult to identify the roles.

Some critics praised the drama as more avant-garde than before, while others left the theater halfway through the play, complaining it was too difficult to understand.

In spite of the criticism over the absurdity of the drama, Lin says such acting reflects reality, in which people are constantly changing identities. A business person may become a wanderer, while a shoe shiner can become a scholar. Lin said we should seek the core philosophy from the classics.

Some reports say before the play was put on, Pu had indicated that the drama is experimental. People will understand it only if they accept that concept.

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