Hamlet

Alternative title: The Factory’s Hamlet
Synopsis: Video recording of Tim Carroll’s 2005 staging of Hamlet for the Bárka Színház with Zoltán Balázs in the title role.
Language: Hungarian
Country: Hungary
Medium: Video
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Recording date: 1 Jan 2005
Duration: 196 mins

Director

Tim Carroll

Writer

William Shakespeare

Music

Béla Faragó

Production Design

Judit Csanádi

Cast

Notes: The production was staged at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in 2008 and a videorecording is available. Ben Lambert was Hamlet.
General: In this production all the roles except Hamlet are switched among the actors. Hamlet was played on every occasion by Zoltán Balázs, who is also known for his work with his own company as a director of avant-garde productions; the rest of the roles are allocated by lottery shortly before the performance among the several actors who have prepared for each role. The actors wear their normal street clothes. The designer devised a shared space for the actors and audience from a nest of platforms that are raked back unevenly on two sides. Audience members bring their own props which are incorporated into the production.
History: Produced at the Bárka Színház, Budapest, Hungary, beginning 16 December 2005.
Textual information: László Bérczes is the dramaturg.
Reviews: `A Leap to Faith: Mark Rylance in conversation with László Bérczes’ at http://www.hungarianquarterly.com/no184/6.html (accessed 8/2008). A detailed account of the improvisational nature of the production.

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