Hargeisa tonight – Shakespeare’s Globe theatre company stops over in Somaliland to perform Hamlet

hakespeare’s Globe theatre company stops over in Somaliland to perform Hamlet

Redsea Cultural Foundation is delighted to host Shakespeare’s Globe for the performance of one of the greatest English language plays ever written – Shakespeare’s sublime story of treachery and revenge, The Tragedy of Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark.  Hamlet plays in Hargeysa on January 29th, 2015.

Globe to Globe Hamlet’ opened at Shakespeare’s Globe on 23 April 2014, the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. This completely unprecedented theatrical adventure will see Hamlet tour to every single country on Earth. Hamlet has now been performed in over 70 countries across the Americas, Europe and East Africa to more than 60,000 people, with over 1/3 of the whole tour now complete. The company of 12 actors rotate roles across the course of the tour, and together with their 4 stage managers travel with a completely portable set. The production is directed by Globe Artistic Director Dominic Dromgoole and Bill Buckhurst.

‘Globe to Globe Hamlet’ is an initiative based on the belief “that every country is better off for the presence of Hamlet. Shakespeare can entertain and speak to anyone, no matter where in the world they are.” Redsea Cultural Foundation believes that cultural expression is the best medium to engage with each other and it is a key for critical thinking and for development. We consider this as a great opportunity for Somaliland audiences, and particularly youth, to take part in an exciting cultural event and to further the role of such expression in promoting tolerance and constructive intercultural engagement.

Written around 1599, William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a tragedy filled with treachery, revenge, spies, and madness. The play was Shakespeare’s most popular in his day and has continued its popularity on stage ever since. In this work, he created a psychological mystery that affords us a look inside the mind of Hamlet.

Redsea Cultural Foundation (RCF) is a literature and arts organization based in Hargeysa, Somaliland, which aims to foster a new generation of literate, creative, and open-minded youth who will contribute towards the development of their societies. RCF established the Hargeysa Cultural Centre in 2014, and with a theatre, art gallery space and a library, the Cultural Centre is intended as a cultural hub for artists in Somaliland as well as international artists visiting the region.

Shakespeare’s Globe is a unique international resource dedicated to the exploration of Shakespeare’s work and the playhouse for which he wrote, through the connected means of performance and education. Together, the Globe Theatre, Globe Exhibition & Tour and Globe Education seek to further the experience and international understanding of Shakespeare in performance. Under the leadership of Artistic Director, Dominic Dromgoole, the theatre season plays in repertory from April to October annually, and has gained an international reputation for performance excellence. For the last five years Globe Theatre On Tour has taken productions to castles, festivals, parks and town squares.

Media contact person: Jama Musse Jama Telephone: + 252634099088 / +2526 59888748. Alternatively:  Ayan Mahamoud  +252634807586.

Notes to Editors:

Globe to Globe Hamlet is directed by Dominic Dromgoole and Bill Buckhurst, designed by Jonathan Fensom and composed by Bill Barclay. The role of Hamlet is shared by Ladi Emeruwa and Naeem Hayat. All other male and female parts are played in rotation by Keith Bartlett, John Dougall, Miranda Foster, Phoebe Fildes, Beruce Khan, Tom Lawrence, Jennifer Leong, Rawiri Paratene, Matthew Romain and Amanda Wilkin.  Holly Blaxill: Press and Digital Officer (Globe to Globe Hamlet tour) 020 7902 1554

Redsea Cultural Foundation (RCF) is a literature and arts organization based in Hargeysa, Somaliland. For the last 7 years,  RCF organized the Hargeysa International Book Fair, the major yearly literature event in the Horn of Africa. Last year RCF, in partnership with Rift Valley Institute and with the support of the EU, established the Hargeysa Cultural Center.

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Hargaysa Somaliland // Office