Persian translations by Maryam Ataei and Arian Moayed, after Behazin
THE STORY: Set in Persia a hundred years ago, on the eve of World War I, Ridgely’s HAMLET weaves passages of Farsi into the English of Shakespeare’s masterpiece of crisis and identity. In it, a traditional way of life is being threatened by an evolving world, the land is being threatened by encroaching foreign interests, and a young man finds himself uprooted and torn between opposing customs, values, and codes. Seamlessly blending traditional Persian and modern Western elements, this is a bold reimagining of the most renowned play in any language.
“…conceptually bracing…This isn’t just another instance of a gimmicky relocation of a canonical work by novelty-seeking theater artists. Mr. Ridgely…[is] exploring the existential crises that arise when national identity comes under siege, and it’s remarkable how neatly Shakespeare’s text accommodates such an interpretation.” —The New York Times.
“…a new look at one of the greatest plays ever written…Interpolating the political conflict between old values and new is a thought-provoking move, particularly in a centuries-old piece like this…a HAMLET with big ideas up its sleeve…” —TheaterMania.
“…a perfect marriage of two radically different cultures and socio-political contexts. The intermittent use of Farsi and English never feels abrupt, but rather enhances the dramatic tension of the production.” —Theasy.
