Attending Berlin: A Look at Globe Berlin's Al fresco Performance of Hamlet
The German Autonoma, the nation's premier theatre troupe, has won the European Cup in Berlin. But their next challenge is far from the football field. Mathias Schönssee, a member of Autonoma and a veteran director, writer, and songwriter, is preparing a unique production of Shakespeare's Hamlet at Globe Berlin, a summer outdoor stage.
Schönssee's Hamlet is a fresh take on the classic revenge thriller. Unlike the traditional brooding and introspective portrayal of the character, Schönssee sees Hamlet as a celebrity, loved like a rockstar or royal figure. This interpretation is reflected in the production's emphasis on intense physicality and emblematic costumes, drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese theatre.
The Globe Berlin stage, modelled after Shakespeare’s original Globe Theatre, fosters close audience engagement similar to early modern playhouses. While the overall staging stays faithful to the classical narrative of Hamlet, the infusion of Japanese theatre forms, such as its formalised gestures and costumes, offers a fresh, cosmopolitan perspective that connects European and Asian theatrical traditions.
The production will feature music inspired by Japanese theatre, different from anything previously seen at Globe Berlin. The performances will be in both English and German, and the production will incorporate the weather as a theatrical element.
Mathias Schönssee prioritises attending team training sessions for Autonoma, but the premiere of Hamlet at Globe Berlin is scheduled for a Thursday, which conflicts with his Autonoma training session on Wednesday. Despite this, Schönssee is committed to his work, promising a distinctive interpretation that highlights the archetypal and ambivalent nature of the characters through movement and symbolic visual elements.
A dancer-choreographer-movement trainer is working with the actors and actresses to develop a unique theatrical language for the production. The performances of Hamlet at Globe Berlin will be from July through September 15. To catch a glimpse of this unique production, sign up for the weekly newsletter for a chance to win complimentary tickets for the performance on September 5.
The location of Globe Berlin is Soemmeringstr. 15, Charlottenburg. Don't miss out on this exciting fusion of Eastern and Western theatrical traditions.
This production of Hamlet at Globe Berlin, with its unique blend of Shakespearean drama, Japanese theater, and contemporary elements, promises to redefine the lifestyle of classic theater, creating a home-and-garden atmosphere that bridges East and West. The home-and-garden setting is further emphasized by the emphasis on audience engagement, similar to early modern playhouses, and the scheduled performances from July through September 15th.
