A Danish Hamlet

Posted on November 2, 2012

The Peter Schaufuss Ballet dance Schaufuss’ ballet version of Hamlet at The Danish Church, Regent’s Park in London tonight.

Shakespeare’s play, which draws on Scandinavian legend, is set in Denmark. Schaufuss first choreographed his version in 1996, for the Royal Danish Ballet, in an outdoor event at Kronborg Castle – the Elsinore of the play. The production was danced to music by Danish rock band Black Sun and composer Rued Langgaard, and also featured a recording of the actor John Gielgud, perhaps the most celebrated Hamlet of the 20th century.

After this UK premiere, the company will give further performances of the ballet on tour in Denmark and Germany:

November 3            Næstved Theatre, Denmark

November 5            Aalborg Congress Hall, Denmark

November 6            Vejle Theatre, Denmark

November 8            Flensburg Opera House, Germany

November 9            Alsion Concert Hall, Sønderborg, Denmark

See www.schaufuss.com for details.

Zoe Anderson

Zoë was born in Edinburgh, and saw her first dance performances at the Festival there. She is the dance critic of The Independent, and has also written for The Independent on Sunday, The Scotsman and Dancing Times. In 2002, she received her doctorate from the University of York for a thesis on “Nationhood and epic romance: Ariosto, Sidney, Spenser”. She is the author of The Royal Ballet: 75 Years and The Ballet Lover’s Companion.