Absolute Shakespeare
To be or not to be, that is the question. William Shakespeare has like no one else through history so precisely put the struggles of humanity into words.
In this theatre concert, dialogue and soliloquies from some of Shakespeare's most loved plays are
intertwined with iconic pop hits from the 1980's giving each other new perspectives.
Stripped of synthesizers and electronic drums, instead accompanied by a lute (lasciviously pleasing), the
songs display themes that we are familiar with from Shakespeare - love, jealousy and the ever haunting
question from Hamlet.
Music has a unique way of evoking moods and feelings. To use music in theatre is an old trick, and one that Shakespeare himself was especially keen on. Not only instrumental music to enhance the power of a scene - Ross W. Duffin has showed how The King's Men exploited songs from the street in many ways to make the audience engage and connect emotionally.
The popular tunes of the 80's might still be considered shallow. But rubbing shoulders with Shakespeare's immortal texts, they stand out in a new luster and often with an unexpected twist.
Texts from Shakespeare's Hamlet, Othello, The Winter's Tale, Macbeth and other plays
Music by Alphaville, Roxette, Whitney Houston, Prince and other iconic artists
Performance duration: 1 hour
Created by Niklas Atterhall & Malin Sternbrink
On stage and touring: Malin Sternbrink & Niklas Atterhall
Duration: 60 min
Photo: Nicklas Lind
Absolute Shakespeare opened in Stockholm in March 2023 and has played at the City Theatre in Stockholm and at the Verona Shakespeare Fringe Festival in Verona, Italy.
Listen to us here
Tour
2024
23 & 24 Jan Kulturhuset Soppteatern
2023
26 March Täby Kulturhus
26 & 27 May Teaterverket Svea
30 Aug Teatro Camploy, Verona
19 & 20 Oct Kulturhuset Soppteatern
26 Oct Kulturhuset Spira
4 & 11 Nov Kulturhuset Soppteatern
19 Nov Täby Kulturhus