HAMLET

14 April, 20.30 on stage of Novgorod theatre “Mali”

Piip and Tuut Theatre, Tallinn, Estonia

William Shakespeare

“HAMLET” comedical tragedy in two acts

Director — Lauris Gundars
Scenographer — Jaanus Laagrikull
Composer and musician — Siim Aimla
Actors — Haide Mannamae, Toomas Tross

Duration – 2 hours 30 min. with interval

Age — 16+

Good now, sit down, and tell me, he that knows,
Why this same strict and most observant watch
So nightly toils the subject of the land,
And why such daily cast of brazen cannon,
And foreign mart for implements of war;
Why such impress of shipwrights, whose sore task
Does not divide the Sunday from the week;
What might be toward, that this sweaty haste
Doth make the night joint-labourer with the day:
Who is’t that can inform me?

The main storyline of classical “Hamlet” has not changed, but this time it is played out by two clowns who perform ten different roles. Some particularly relevant contemporary themes are being emphasised more than others, such as humanity, the military activity of neighbouring countries, the conflict between fiction and reality.

Hamlet the prince, returns to his native land after many years in a comfortable and well-facilitated world where he has become a quite popular and loved Singer. The reason behind his return is an unpleasant one: his old father has died, which is why the prince should actually take his place now. However, by marrying the widow, the prince’s mother, the role of the new king has already been assumed post-haste by his paternal uncle Claudius, who – as Hamlet now learns from the wandering Father’s Ghost – is actually his murderer. Now Hamlet’s filial duty is to avenge his father’s death by killing his relative. Admittedly, should the prince take his uncle’s place at the helm of the country, he would have to deal with new responsibilities – ones that Hamlet has never encountered before; ones he knows nothing about: the country is on the brink of war with it?s neibour. While actively presiding over preparations for war, Claudius is still seeking to avoid the conflict: the morale of the army is low following his brother’s death. The one thing that could boost it would be involving the young Hamlet, which is what Claudius tries to achieve: everybody’s future, even life depends on it. Sadly, Hamlet can think of nothing but his duty to revenge. Both war and revenge go against Hamlet’s nature; the best way out would be suicide, and yet… What if there is no bright new life after death, contrary to what is promised by the Church? After all, no-one has ever returned from the other side! To be or not to be?

To avoid having to make a decision about his further actions, Hamlet feigns madness; however, he is caught. He is finally forced to take some action. Hamlet does his best to be as determined as his late father, the violent conqueror of all the surrounding countries: every step he takes from now on is informed by power and his idea of the right thing to do.
By embracing the fundaments of his being, Hamlet not only leads the people around him to death, but also perishes himself. The dream of a lovely life where everybody loves and respects him is over – betrayed by his own doing. Furthermore, the country ends up under the rule of a stranger, prince Fortinbras – without any effort, without any use of weapons on his part.

The musical score of the production features songs from Hamlet the ‘Singer’s’ repertory, all set to lyrics from the play. (by Lauris Gundars, director)

www.piipjatuut.ee

Piip and Tuut Theatre is a private theatre, formed by Haide M?nnam?e and Toomas Tross and named by their clown characters Piip and Tuut. They have been performing together as a clown duo since 1998 and established authentic Piip and Tuut Playhouse in Tallinn, Estonia in 2010. They won Estonian Theatre Prize of the Year in 2014 as the best company playing for the young audience; however, they have a unique audience by appealing to the whole family. Piip and Tuut Theatre is currently touring around the world, their performances have been seen in many countries in Europe, America and Asia.