Shakespeare’s masterpiece Hamlet, like never before.

Gone are most of the words, they’re replaced by movement and music.

Award-winning South African choreographer Dada Masilo, renowned for her dynamic reinterpretation of classics, including Swan Lake, Giselle and The Rite of Spring (retitled The Sacrifice), has reimagined Shakespeare’s power play as an hour-long dance theatre piece. Through the eyes of the maiden, Ophelia, the audience is invited to explore what leads to her ultimate despair. Masilo’s interpretation explores misogyny and manipulation, and attempts to make sense of Ophelia’s madness.

With references to classical ballet, african dance and period dance in both choreography and music, the work is accompanied by an original score from Thuthuka Sibisi.

This work premiered in Vienna at Impulstanz in July 2024 and was subsequently staged at Kampnagel, Hamburg and at de Singel, Antwerp.

Co-produced by Sadler’s Wells

Header image © Lauge Sorensen

Header image description: Nine performers in patterened, earthy coloured clothes. They face away from the camera with their arms outstretched to the sides.