"To be or not to be" - Shakespeare transformed four of the most boring words in English into the most famous line in universal theatre. How can something so abstract resonate across so many cultures and epochs?
Hamlet's dilemma embodies the human struggle with existence itself. People are the only animals that can be irrationally cruel, capable of spectacular acts of violence against themselves and others. Perhaps this is connected to the fact that humans are the only beings who can question their own existence.
Internationally renowned director Declan Donnellan and designer Nick Ormerod have performed incredibly delicate surgical interventions, simplifying the narrative threads, actions, and motivations of each character to a clarity almost like crystal. This Hamlet preserves only essential references from Shakespeare's text and, in less than two hours, extracts the essence of a story that has been told in thousands of ways.
Original: William Shakespeare
Director: Declan Donnellan
Stage and Costume Designer: Nick Ormerod
Assistant Director: Laurențiu Tudor
Assistant Costume Designer: Adelina Galiceanu
Stage Combat: Mihail Antonie
Translator: George Volceanov
Performed by: "Marin Sorescu" National Theatre of Craiova
Co-produced by: Cheek by Jowl, "Marin Sorescu" National Theatre of Craiova
The 2nd Hong Kong International Shakespeare Festival
Hamlet by "Marin Sorescu" National Theatre of Craiova
16-17 June 2026 (Tue - Wed) 8PM
The Box, Freespace, WestK
$500 $400 $300
"The 2nd HK International Shakespeare Festival" Package Discount (only available at URBTIX)
Each purchase of standard tickets for 2 different programmes (10% off)
Each purchase of standard tickets for 3 different programmes (15% off)
Each purchase of standard tickets for 4 or more different programmes (20% off)
"The 2nd Hong Kong International Shakespeare Festival" Package Discount is only applicable to the following programmes:
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Studio Theatre
- Othello by Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio (5-10 June 2026)
WestK Freespace The Box
- Hamlet by Tibet Autonomous Region Drama Troupe (China) (12-13 June 2026)
- Hamlet by "Marin Sorescu" National Theatre of Craiova (Romania) (16-17 June 2026)
- Twelfth Night by National Theater Company of Korea (20-21 June 2026)
WestK Freespace The Room
- Shakespeare Dance Theatre (12-14 June 2026)
WestK Xiqu Centre Studio 1
- MACBETH solo (The UK) (10-11 June 2026)
- Ophelia. An Object Study (Poland) (13-14 June 2026)
- The Rape of Lucrece (The UK) (16-17 June 2026)
- Titus Andronicus 2.0 by Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio (20-21 June 2026)
Local Full-time Students / Senior Citizens Aged 60 or Above / People with Disabilities & the Minder* / Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Recipients (50% off, with limited quota)
Principal Hotel Sponsor
Mondrian Hong Kong
Media Partners
art-mate.net
Star Ferry
Technical Partner
WestK Performing Arts
House rules
- Latecomers will not be admitted.
- Performed in Romanian with Chinese and English surtitles.
- Suitable for ages 12 or above.
- The presenter reserves the right to change the programme and substitute artist(s) should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary.
- In case of any dispute, the presenter reserves the right of final decision.
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The 2nd Hong Kong International Shakespeare Festival is financially supported by the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The content of these programmes does not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The views and opinions expressed in this project do not represent the stand of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.
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