THE MATTHEW AT
BRISTOL HARBOUR FESTIVAL
The Matthew is partnering up with Re:Verse Theatre at this year’s Bristol Harbour Festival – we’ll be hosting the world premiere of their production of The Hamlet Voyage on the Saturday and Sunday of the festival.
This new play is about the first recorded performance of Hamlet outside of Europe, performed in 1607 by sailors off the coast of Sierra Leone for local West African dignitaries, on the first English voyage to reach India.
UPDATE: Due to the very hot weather forecast for the weekend, there will be now be one performance of The Hamlet Voyage at 1pm on both days.
There will also be West African drumming, dancing and storytelling workshops in the afternoon on both days.
The Matthew will be docked at Underfall Yard, Cumberland Road, Bristol BS1 6XG for the festival and performances.
When
Saturday 16 July: 1pm performance
Sunday 17 July: 1pm performance
Where
On board The Matthew at Underfall Yard
How Much?
FREE!
Limited seating will be available on a first-come-first-served basis, both on board and on shore.
Please note: This event will take place entirely outdoors. In the case of inclement weather, performances may be delayed, modified or cancelled.
ABOUT THE HAMLET VOYAGE
The Hamlet Voyage is a new play about the first record of Shakespeare being performed outside Europe: a production of Hamlet, acted by sailors in 1607 for West African dignitaries during the first English voyage to reach Mughal India.
Join Re:Verse Theatre for a theatrical critique of the very beginnings of British colonial ambitions. Drawing on classical performance across three continents – from Shakespeare and sea shanties to West African storytelling and drumming to South Asian music & puppetry – they will examine this cross-cultural encounter that took place before England became deeply involved in the Atlantic slave trade, before the age of British imperialism, and before Shakespeare became a global name.
The Bristol Harbour Festival performances are suitable for all audiences.
RADA staged reading featuring Ellen Thomas - photo by Dan Fearon
R & D featuring Ayodele Scott, Euan Shanahan & Freddy Sawyer
R & D featuring ensemble and David Dravie-John