HAMLET: THE VIDEO GAME (THE STAGE SHOW) Makes Debut at The Court Theatre

Shakespeare never imagined that his finest work would make for this season's hottest video game.

Partly scripted, partly improvised and wholly unique, Hamlet: The Video Game (The Stage Show) is an original blend of video games and Shakespeare that makes its world première at The Forge at The Court as part of the Christchurch Arts Festival.

Written and directed by former Court Jester, now Montreal-based video game director, Simon Peacock (Voice Director of Assassin's Creed; Voice & Motion Capture Director of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided), Shakespeare's Hamlet has been transformed into a show aimed at gamers and non-gamers alike.

In 1986, while still at high school in Christchurch, Peacock started a creative career that would be the springboard for a successful shift into video game performance and directing. In the early part of his 20-year career as an improviser he performed alongside Christchurch Arts Festival Director Craig Cooper, who first approached Peacock with the idea for the show. Peacock couldn't resist the opportunity to return to his theatre roots.

Peacock initially consulted with Mary DeMarle, the Narrative Director of the Deus Ex games, on how to adapt Hamlet into a video game. Unsurprisingly, it involved significant changes to Shakespeare's work. "We've ratcheted up the action and added improvisation to give it the interactivity that comes with a video game, giving the audience control over the show's course," says Peacock.

The Shakespearean language has been simplified, and extraneous plot and characters have been dropped. A host of stereotypical video game characters have been introduced, along with references to many well-known games.

"I've tried to direct this show in much the same way as we work in the motion capture studio. Actors seldom play only one role, we have very sparse sets if any set at all, and it's very collaborative between director and actors."

The costumes have been designed by Nick Wakerley who comes to The Court after a career in Australian film and television costume design.

With 25 costumes worn by four actors, Wakerley has designed the costumes to be incredibly easy to put on and take off. He drew upon his knowledge of gaming to influence the designs, and in turn his designs have dictated aspects of the characters.

The show will feature audio visual effects by AV designer Andrew Todd who also is also a gaming writer for Gameplanet and Birth.Movies.Death.

"We're designing the show to operate like a video game, so there'll be a lot of things familiar to gamers. We've got a huge screen that forms a backdrop to the action - the characters have health bars, they unlock achievements and navigate through dialogue trees, and so on," says Todd. "It's everything good - and not so good - about games, fed through the unpredictable sieve of semi-improvised theatre."

Cast:

· Dan Bain: Hamlet & Ghost

· Kathleen Burns: Gertrude, Ophelia + various

· Jared Corbin: Horatio + various

· Semu Filipo: Claudius + various

· Hamish Oliver: Musician

Production Team:

· Simon Peacock: Director & Playwright

· Ashlyn Smith: Stage Manager

· Paul Johnson: Lighting Designer

· Hamish Oliver: Sound Designer

· Andrew Todd: AV Designer

· Nicholas Wakerley: Costume Designer

· Danielle Ferreira Beckner: Properties

· Nigel Kerr: Workshop Manager

· Giles Tanner: Operator

· Mandy Perry: Production Manager

Hamlet: The Video Game (The Stage Show) is presented in association with the Christchurch Arts Festival, The Court Jesters and The Forge at The Court

To Book phone 03 963 0870 www.courttheatre.org.nz.
Tickets: Adult: $28; Concession: $25 (Community Service Card, Gold Card, Student ID, Cando Card Holders)

Show Times:

· 8.30pm, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

· Running time: 80 minutes with no interval.

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