Reviews

Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Tibetan language?

Yes. This is what the Tibetan students in Shanghai Theatre Academy are doing now. They are trying hard to bring the Western classics to a different culture.

– Hua Chunying, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

of the People's Republic of China

I have seen Shakespeare's plays countless times, but the debut of this play on May 7th certainly amazed me. They gave their full attention to this play. The charm of this production is in its artistry, which can be seen in all the details of the performances and the dance, the adjustments to the angle of the light, and when the actors and actresses enter and exit the stage.

– Mao Shian, former vice president of China Literary Critics' Association

and consultant for the Shanghai Literature and Art Critics Association

What I see is not a performance, but a piece of youth. This production of Hamlet keeps pace with the times, changing styles accordingly. It is very modern, fashionable and youthful.

– Cao Lusheng, playwright and professor

at Shanghai Theatre Academy

The Tibetan version of Shakespeare's play connects Tibet, China, and the world. The play has the Tibetan culture as its main "tune," and all the actors and actresses are truthful, natural, and powerful, contributing to an impressive and compelling performance.

– Gong Baorong, the literature professor at Shanghai Theatre Academy;

director of International Theatre Studies

About  Hamlet, Tibetan Language Version

Claudius, the uncle of Prince Hamlet, murdered King Hamlet, who is the father of Hamlet; he also married King Hamlet's widow, and took the throne of Denmark for himself. Prince Hamlet was determined to get revenge…

Credits

Director: Pu Cunxin

Directors (Main Teachers): Yang Jia, Wang Yang

Chinese Translator and Dramaturgy: Li Jianming

Tibetan Translator: Nyima Dundrup, Galsang Dolker

Cast:

Dundrup Tsering as Hamlet

Ghutoe as King of Denmark

Khandro as The Queen of Denmark

Lobsang Yonden as Polonius

Tenzin Jigyuan as Leotis

Tenzin Gongji as Ophelia

Yishi Taqing as Horatio

Lobsang as Marcellus

Dawa Tsering as Gravedigger A

Tsering Norbu as Gravedigger B

Tenzin Soba as Rosengranz

Nyima Lodro as Gildenstern

Tenzin Namgyal as Player A (King)

Tenzin Dolker as Player B (Queen)

Sonam Tsering as Captain, Fudimbulas

Tadzong Yangmo as Lusianas

Tadzong Yangmo, Tashi Medog, Pema Laji, Qimi Dolma, Tenzin Dolker as Angel

Sonam Bazhu, Tashi Penpa Norbu as Crowd

(Listed in no particular order)

Scenic/ Props Design: Zhao Zisen

Scenic Design: Liu Siyu

Lighting Design: Liu Yilan, Tsultrim Qujia

Costume/ Make-up Design: Li Yanxin

Costume Design: Zhang Di

Sound Design: Cao Yang

Executive Producer: Sun Hanyang

Executive Producer/ Assistant Stage Manager: Song Ruyue

Stage Manager: Yang Yan

Stage Executive/ Stage Manager: Qin Wei

Sound Board Operator/ Production Assistant: Zheng Yongyu

Tibetan Lines Advisor: Zongji

Actor Coordinators: Puebla Tsering, Qong Dhark

Producer: Tong Shanshan

About Pu Cunxin

Pu Cunxin is one of the most celebrated actors in China, a State First-Class Actor, Chairman of the China Theatre Association, President of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, and Vice Chairman of the China Film Association. He has been highly acclaimed for his outstanding portrayal of characters in theatre productions, such as Lin Zexu, The Thunderstorm,Hamlet, The Teahouse, The Persuader, The Wotou Guild Hall, etc. He has played in over 40 film and TV productions, including Lu Xun, A Bright Moon, Love for Life, Bell of Purity Temple and so on, and been honored with the China TV Golden Eagle Award for Audience Favorite Actor for his TV drama, The Path of Glory, and the China Ornamental Column Award for Best Actor for his film, A Bright Moon.

Beyond his professional life, his active participation in philanthropy includes being Goodwill Ambassador in the campaign against HIV/AIDS. In 2018, Pu founded a reading program "Pu's Story," reading articles online on his WeChat official account and radio app Ximalaya. He also holds live reading events, which have become popular among audiences in China.

About Shanghai Theatre Academy and The Modern Drama Troupe of Tibet Autonomous Region

Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA) is a comprehensive university of performing arts in China, with its school motto "Supreme Perfection and Beauty." STA aims to cultivate the talented who have an upright character, both fundamental and specialized knowledge of the drama, and the skills to realize what they learn. Besides the cultivation and training of students, STA also focuses on artistic creation, academic research, social service, and international exchange. At the same time, STA has cultivated thousands of artists and talented individuals in cultural management, and many graduates have become leading experts and artists with national and international reputations in the theatre, Chinese Opera, film & TV, dance, literature and the fine arts.

The Modern Drama Troupe of Tibet Autonomous Region is the only art troupe able to perform in both the Mandarin and Tibetan languages in China. They have always followed the cordial instruction of Prime Minister Zhou Enlai: "You are the seeds of drama on the plateau and you shall take root, bloom and bear fruit in Tibet"; they have stayed in Tibet to warm the frontier. Throughout the past sixty years, the Troupe has carried on with the CPC's principles of art, producing and performing more than 200 dramas, including the ancient and modern, the Chinese and foreign. Their plays have won numerous awards, including the Wenhua Awards for new play, direction, performance; and the Plum Performance Award. The Troupe has contributed much to enriching the cultural life of the people, with its flourishing Tibetan cultural undertakings, thereby promoting a long period of political stability and sustainable development in Tibet.