For Immediate Release

[Elsinore, Demark, 4 August 2022] On Wednesday evening, 3 August, Abrahamse and Meyer Productions and the Artscape Theatre Centre made history when their acclaimed production of Hamlet opened to an overwhelming standing ovation at Kronborg Castle, in Elsinore, Demark as part of the annual HamletScenen Shakespeare Festival.

Prior to the performance Her Excellency FS Magubane, and her team from the South African Embassy in Copenhagen, hosted an elegant reception on the castle lawn, where the Ambassador met the cast and members of the Artscape staff.

The reception and performance were attended by several dignitaries and high-profile guests, including Ambassadors from fourteen countries, the most in attendance at a festival performance. Also in attendance were the Ms Benedikte Kiaer, Major of Elsinore and Ms Lotte Machon, State Secretary for Development Policy, Denmark.

The HamletScenen Festival is the oldest continuous Shakespeare Festival in the world.

Since 1816 some of the greatest actors in the world have performed Hamlet at Kronborg Castle including luminaries of stage and screen like Lord Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, John Gielgud, Michael Redgrave, Richard Burton, Christopher Plummer, Jude Law and now Cape Town’s Marcel Meyer joins this illustrious list.

The South African performance of Hamlet was a testament of how Shakespeare and the performing arts bring people together across continents in a united, shared understanding of humanity and the human condition.

The company remains in residence to complete the sold of season of Hamlet, performing their final performance on Sunday 7 August.