By Shakespeare's Globe
Shakespeare's Globe
Globe to Globe Hamlet
"In 1608, only eight years after it was written, Hamlet was performed on a boat – the Red Dragon – off the coast of Yemen. Just ten years later it was being toured extensively all over Northern Europe. The spirit of touring, and of communicating stories to fresh ears, was always central to Shakespeare’s work. We couldn’t be happier to be extending that mission even further. By train, coach, plane and boat we aim to take this wonderful, iconic, multifarious play to as many fresh ears as we possibly can.” Dominic Dromgoole, Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe
The Tour
On 23 April 2014 – the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth – Shakespeare’s Globe embarked upon a two-year global tour of Hamlet to every country in the world. ‘Globe to Globe Hamlet’ is a completely unprecedented theatrical adventure.
Hamlet Company (2014-09-20) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
T Row (L-R) A. Moore, P. Fildes, R. Paratene, J. Dougall, M. Romain, L. Emeruwa, B. Khan, A.Wilkin, N. Hayat, K. Bartlett, D. McEvoy, R. Austin. B Row (L-R) T. Lawrence, M. Foster, J. Leong, C. Burnham
The Play Packed (2014-04-01) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
Traveling with 14 trunks, three ski bags, one drum case, one piano accordion and two violins, the company carry all the sets, props, instruments and costumes with them throughout the two years.
"Get Out" Process (2014-09-20) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
The entire show can be constructed in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes and taken down in under an hour.
A look inside trunk No. 8 - this trunk carries various musical instruments and key props including Ophelia's flowers, the Gravedigger's shovel and Yorick's skull.
The moon prop used by the 'Players' in the play with in a play - Act III Scene 2 (Click to see the back)
Yorick's Skull - used in the famous Gravedigger scene - Act V Scene 1
Also in Trunk #8 is a 1st Folio facsimile of Hamlet that is being signed by someone in each country the company visits. (Click to see inside)
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Globe to Globe Hamlet: Actor Matthew Romain on visiting Kiev, UkraineShakespeare's Globe
Actor Matthew Romain on meeting the people of Kiev during their stop on the eve of the Presidential election.
The Company in Maidan Square (2014-05-25) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
Back (D.Droomgole, B.Khan, L.Emeruwa. J.Dougall, N.Hayat, A.Wilkin, M.Foster, C.Burnham, A.Moore, D.McEvoy, M.Romain, B.Austin, K.Bartlett, T.Bird. Front J.Leong, T.Lawrence, R.Paratene, P.Fildes
Kiev Audience (2014-05-25) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
Front Row in Kiev - First Lady Maryna Poroshenko. President Petro Poroshenko, Miss Poroshenko, Natalia Egorova (Mayor of Kiev's Wife) Kiev Mayor, Vitali Klitschko.
Globe to Globe Hamlet: Actor Ladi Emeruwa Talks About Performing in Kiev, UkraineShakespeare's Globe
Actor Ladi Emeruwa speaks about what it was like to play the role of Hamlet for President Poroshenko and Mayor Klitschko
Panoramic View (2014-06-06) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
Panoramic view of the amphitheatre
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Looking out as the audience arrives (2014-06-06) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
View from backstage as the audience arrives.
Backstage (2014-06-06) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
Green Room/Dressing Room in the ancient ruins
Globe to Globe Hamlet: Behind the Scenes in Bitola, MacedoniaShakespeare's Globe
A look behind the curtain during a live performance of Hamlet. The non-traditional greenroom at the 4th Century Greek amphitheatre – Heraklea Lynkest
Audience View of Stage (2014-06-06) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
View from the top of the amphitheatre during the performance
View from Stage in UN (2014-08-04) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
The international audience included UN diplomats, dignitaries and celebrities, including former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, Canadian actress Kim Cattrall (pictured second from the left) and Artist Laurie Anderson (pictured Centre)
The Unconventional Dressing Room (2014-08-04) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
Wardrobe Mistress Carrie Burnham often has to improvise dressing rooms when performing in unconventional spaces - at the UN it was the balcony section of the Chamber.
Still from the Performance (2014-08-04) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
Khartoum, Sudan Country No. 70
On 20 June, 2014 the Company traveled to the Sudan to perform at the 2000 seat outdoor National Theatre in Khartoum. The performance was free and thus, once all of the seats inside were full, people stood in the aisles, sat on the surrounding walls and roof tops and gathered outside the venue walls straining to hear. Although the were no official count of how many people ended up seeing the performance it is estimated a total of four to five thousand people attended.
National Theatre in Sudan (2015-01-20) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
The National Theatre in Khartoum, Sudan. Dressed and ready for the show.
Audience in Khartoum, Sundan (2015-01-20) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
Over 3,000 people inside the theatre with nearly 2,000 trying to see outside the venue walls.
Sold Out Audience in Khartoum, Sundan (2015-01-20) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
The over capacity audience - some people even sitting on walls and roof tops.
Globe to Globe Hamlet: The Curtain Call in Khartoum, SudanShakespeare's Globe
Curtain call and sound of the audience's appreciation in Khartoum, Sudan
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Globe to Globe Hamlet: Rwanda Venue MoveShakespeare's Globe
Video of the events during the show in Butare.
The Set Being Reconstructed (2015-02-07) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
Stage Manager Dave McEvoy works with the company to re-assemble the set outside. The entire move took less than 25 minutes.
Globe to Globe Hamlet: Actor Naeem Hayat on the Globe to Globe Hamlet Performance in RwandaShakespeare's Globe
Actor Naeem Hayat speaks about the experience of being part of the audience in Butare.
Beruce Amongst the Audience (2015-02-07) by Shakespeare's GlobeShakespeare's Globe
Actor Beruce Khan enters from the audience.
Globe to Globe Hamlet: Actresses Miranda Foster & Jennifer Leong on their Performance in RwandaShakespeare's Globe
Actresses Miranda Foster & Jennifer Leong speak about what an impromptu outdoor show meant to the people of Rwanda
Globe to Globe Hamlet: Year One HighlightsShakespeare's Globe
The Pacific Islands Country No. 105 - 115
In June 2015 the company travelled to the 10 Pacific Island Nations. It was a very long and difficult journey,especially when the only airline traveling to these nations began to refuse to transport all of the sets, costumes and props. Upon arrival in each nation it was a constant discovery to find out what - of any - parts of the sets arrived.
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Micronesia saw the company with only instruments and what could be found locally as set, costumes and props. Despite these circumstances the show went on to a full house.
Kathmandu, Nepal Country No. 134
The company had the honour of performing in the breathtaking, historic, Basantapur Darbar Kshetra. Despite the devastating earthquake that ravaged Nepal 6 months before, the square survived.
Zaatari - Syrian Refugee Camp in Jordan Country No. 139
Due to security concerns in Syria, the Company was not permitted to perform in there. So instead they travelled to Zaatari, the largest Syrian refugee camp in the world where they performed for Syrian refugees and had an informal meet and greet with some local actors. All photos by Sarah Lee courtesy of the Guardian
Ladi Emeruwa as Hamlet.
(Photo by Sarah Lee)
Amanda Wilkin as Ophelia
(Photo by Sarah Lee)
Miranda Foster as Gertrude
(Photo by Sarah Lee)
Keith Bartlett as Claudius
(Photo by Sarah Lee)
Tom Lawrence as Laertes
(Photo by Sarah Lee)
Ladi Emeruwa deliver's one of his famous soliloquies as Hamlet.
(Photo by Sarah Lee)
(Photo by Sarah Lee)
'Get thee to a nunnery' - a quick snap from the audience as Amanda Wilkin (Ophelia) is tossed aside in rage.
(Photo by Sarah Lee)
Our trip to Zaatari marked our 18 month anniversary. This short video was made to look back at the 139 countries we reached thus far.
Curated by: Alexandra Breede & Helena Miscioscia on behalf of Shakespeare's Globe
Photos by: Becky Austin, Sarah Lee, David McEvoy, Helena Miscioscia and Amanda Wilkin
Videos by: Alexandra Breede, Jessica Lusk, Helena Miscioscia, Nik Stojkov, Abolfazl Talooni and Amanda Wilkin.
Globe to Globe Hamlet
Director: Dominic Dromgoole and Bill Buckhurt
Designer: Jonathan Fensom
Composer: Bill Barclay
