S4K returns to the Gulf with five star Hamlet hit

Musical Hamlet brings the Bard to life for young and old.

Shakespeare 4 Kidz - the award-winning theatre company whose easy-to-understand fun-filled musical adaptations of the Bard's classics have delighted audiences for over ten years - are coming back to the UAE with their five-star hit show, "Shakespeare 4 Kidz HAMLET". The event is hosted by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited in association with Aldar and Aldar Academics.

The award-winning company delighted audiences in the Gulf last year when they brought their "triumphant" musical version of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to Dubai and Sharjah for the first time. Now the company are set to return with their acclaimed musical production of Shakespeare's most famous play, Hamlet.

"We are pleased to support the Shakespeare 4 Kids - Hamlet tour in the UAE. HSBC has established itself as a leading supporter of projects that promote cross cultural understanding. This educational play which is adapted to attract younger audiences without impacting the original work of the renowned writer Shakespeare, will introduce school children who come from diverse backgrounds to the astonishing world of such a great writer. We hope with our support, we will help youngsters enjoy Shakespeare's work in a simple way." Said Kaltham Al Koheji, Chairperson, HSBC in the Community Middle East Foundation.

"Shakespeare 4 Kidz HAMLET", which has been on tour across the UK since September 2007, was voted the "Number One show for Kids" by The Times newspaper in London last November and has received five star reviews in the press and an enthusiastic reception wherever it has played.

Gulf International Promotions is delighted to bring this show on a two- week visit to the region, and would like to thank our Tiltle Sponsor HSBC, and our Associate Sponsors Aldar Academies, Aldar, Ernest & Young , and Kempinski, and all our media Sponsors who made this event possible. The show will open in Bahrain, and then visit Dubai. In addition, it will visit Sharjah with the support of STG (Sharjah Theatre Group) and will end its tour in Abu Dhabi with the support of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage.

Prince Hamlet has returned home to attend his father's funeral ... and his mother's marriage to his Uncle Claudius, who has now become king! So when Hamlet meets the ghost of his dead father, he sets out upon a mysterious story of murder, intrigue and revenge - even pretending to be mad - all the time trying to prove once and for all that his uncle is the murderer.

Hamlet is not just the most famous play ever written, it is filled with famous quotes and sayings that have been absorbed into modern day English language. From "To be or not to be" to "Alas, Poor Yorick" through to "Neither a borrower nor a lender be" and "The play's the thing ...!"

Many of the familiar faces from S4K's 2007 visit are returning this year with Paul Parris leading the company as Hamlet, Jason Lee Scott as Claudius, Pippa Jeronimo as Gertrude and Antony Stuart-Hicks as Polonius. All four were in S4K's A Midsummer Night's Dream last year: Paul was the hilarious Puck, Jason played Oberon, Pippa was Titania and Antony doubled as Egeus and Quince.

This is the chance for everyone to be introduced to Hamlet; so whether you are young or old, new to Shakespeare or an avid Bard-o-phile, have never visited the theatre before or are a regular - S4K has something for everyone and as so often been said "Shakespeare 4 Kidz is the perfect introduction to Shakespeare!"

Shakespeare 4 Kidz Hamlet will be playing twice daily at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre, from Monday 21st to Thursday 24th April 2008 with performances at 9.00am and 12.00 midday each day.

Schools tickets can be booked via the SCHOOLS BOOKING LINE on 050-8541749; other ticket enquiries to the DUCTAC Box Office on 04-341 4777 or Boxoffice Me on 04-3676699.

Sharjah performances are at the Cultural Palace Theatre are at 11:00am and 4:00pm on Sunday 27th April 2008.
Schools tickets can be booked via the SCHOOLS BOOKING LINE on 050-8541749; other ticket enquiries to the STG office on 06-5225839 or Boxoffice Me on 04-3676699.

Abu Dhabi performances are at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation Theatre are at 9:00am and 6:00pm on Tuesday 29th April 2008.

Schools tickets can be booked via the SCHOOLS BOOKING LINE on 050-8541749; other ticket enquiries to the Boxoffice Me on 04-3676699.

Tickets will be available at Spinney's outlets in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah from April 1st, 2008.

Notes and contacts

The 2008 international tour to Bahrain is presented by Jump Media. The tour to Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi is presented by Gulf International Promotions in association with The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, Sharjah Theatre Group and Julian Chenery and Shakespeare 4 Kidz (UK) Ltd for The Shakespeare 4 Kidz Theatre Company.

Click here for original article in Arabian Business.com