Hamlet in Aden

Hamlet, one of William Shakespeare's most celebrated plays, was performed in Aden, Yemen, in January 2023. The production, organized by Khaleej Aden Theater Troupe and directed by Amr Gamal, was a significant cultural event, highlighting both the artistic heritage and the resilience of the city.

Background
Aden has had a strong relationship with theater since the early 20th century. The first recorded theatrical performance in the city took place in 1905, performed by an Indian theater troupe. This visit sparked a growing interest in theater among the local people, laying the groundwork for Aden's theatrical tradition.

In 1910, Master Hamoud Al-Hashimi, a cultural icon later known as the "King of Cinema" for his role in opening many cinemas in Aden, translated Shakespeare's Julius Caesar into Arabic. This translated play was performed by students at the Residency School in Crater, now the Military Museum, marking the first time local actors performed a play in Arabic in Aden.

Development and support
Khaleej Aden Theater Troupe, founded in 2005, has been dedicated to preserving the endangered Adeni dialect and revitalizing the local theatrical scene. Director Amr Gamal, who leads the troupe, came up with the idea to stage Hamlet in Aden. This vision garnered support from the British Council, which became a major sponsor of the production. The council facilitated collaboration with the Globe Theatre in London and Volcano Theatre in Wales, which provided online workshops and training sessions for two years, led by British experts in Shakespearean theater.

Translation
Khaleej Aden Theater Troupe, under the direction of Amr Gamal, has worked to safeguard the endangered Adeni dialect of Arabic. After first translating the play in classical Arabic, Adeni poet Amr Al-Eryani translated Hamlet into the Adeni dialect. Together, they selected and incorporated rare Adeni phrases and terms, in an effort to preserve them and to further enrich the translation.

By staging Hamlet in their local dialect, Khaleej Aden Theater Troupe aimed to provide Yemeni audiences, especially the younger generation, with access to high-caliber literary theater while honoring and preserving their linguistic heritage.

Venue and restoration
The play was staged at the historic Legislative Council building, a building constructed during British colonial rule in 1871. Originally built as the Church of St. Maria, it was later transformed into the Legislative Council of Aden in 1947. The venue was chosen for its Victorian architectural style, which complemented the atmosphere of the play set in 17th century Europe.

The Legislative Council had suffered partial damage during the Battle of Aden in 2015 war, and its restoration became a key component of the Hamlet project. Khaleej Aden Theater Troupe financed simple restoration efforts using funds from the production's budget, focusing on the interior and surroundings to make the building suitable for the performance. This funding was provided to the local authority and The General Directorate of Antiquities, who supervised and executed the restoration.

One of the main goals of staging the play at the venue was to draw attention to the building's historical importance and push for its complete restoration. The play's success and widespread media coverage brought the issue to the forefront, leading UNESCO to take on the building's full restoration.

Production
The troupe held ten performances of the show, from 7 to 16 January 2023, all of which sold out. Each performance ran for three hours. The actors wore traditional Yemeni dress while portraying their roles,

Casting
The casting for Khaleej Aden Theatre Troupe's production of Hamlet incorporated both members of the troupe and actors from outside. Among the cast were older, experienced actors whose opportunities had been limited due to political restrictions imposed between 1994 and 2011, which severely impacted the cultural scene in Aden. These restrictions greatly reduced the number of theatrical productions and stifled the cultural development of the city. This production offered these veteran actors a chance to return to the classic works they had performed in the 1970s and 1980s.

In addition to these seasoned performers, young actors from the Hadhramaut Governorate were recruited. These actors had previously been unable to participate in major theatrical productions due to the distance of their governorate from Aden and Sanaa, where theatrical activity, though limited, is more active. One of these young actors played the role of Horatio. Director Amr Gamal encouraged him to retain his Hadhrami dialect, reasoning that since Horatio is not from Denmark, it would be logical for him to speak in a dialect different from Aden's, adding a layer of linguistic richness to the play.

The actresses were also carefully selected. One was the veteran theatrical actress Shorouk, who played the role of Gertrude, alongside two newcomers making their acting debut. Nour Zaker, playing Ophelia, told the Agence France-Presse that being an actress "was difficult because … society does not easily accept these things". The actresses' appearance on stage without a hijab was surprising to some audience members, reflecting a shift in cultural norms over the decades. Despite facing online bullying, the actresses remained steadfast, performing without the hijab until the final show.

The production also included a number of young actors making their first stage appearances. These newcomers were selected through auditions with director Amr Gamal. Additionally, Gamal invited the Sama Aden Folk Dance Troupe to participate, portraying the visiting theater troupe at Elsinore Castle.

The role of Hamlet was played by Ahmed Al-Yafei, who underwent extensive rehearsals with the director for five months. His performance was well received by both the audience and critics.

Cast list

 * Ahmed Al-Yafei as Hamlet
 * Shorook Mohammed as Gertrude
 * Qasim Omar as Claudius
 * Qasim Rashad as Marcellus, Gravedigger, Osric
 * Amr Bassem as Laertes, Member of the theater group
 * Samir Seif as the ghost, the sailor, the priest
 * Matlub Gharamat as Polonius
 * Ahmed Yahya as Bernardo, Chief Representative, British Ambassador
 * Hassan Irfan as Horatio
 * Nasir Ahmed as Rosenkrantz
 * Omar Mujalad as Francisco, Guildenstern
 * Nour Zaker as Ophelia
 * Faisal Al-Awali as Fortinbras

Public response
The news of Hamlet performances in Aden by Khaleej Aden Theatre Troupe has sparked significant interest in the community. This is evident as all tickets for the shows sold out completely within just two days of becoming available, highlighting the enthusiasm of the people of Aden to attend these theatrical performances.

Despite efforts by some extremists online to discourage attendance by accusing the troupe of being involved in a conspiracy to spread Christianity, and falsely claiming that the play contained Christian themes and that the venue was once a church—allegations intended to support their claims—authorities ensured security at the legislative council to protect the audience. However, as usual, the people of Aden were not swayed by these attempts to instill fear regarding cultural events. They turned out in large numbers at the legislative council, eager to attend the play and support Aden's cultural heritage.

This enthusiasm for theater among the people of Aden is rooted in the city's rich cultural history, which dates back to the early 20th century and persisted until the early 1990s before being affected by extremist ideologies. Nevertheless, the people of Aden and its artists have consistently challenged these extremist ideas and voices, a commitment that endures to this day.

The play ran for just ten days despite public demand for an extension. Funding secured from the British Council and local businessmen covered expenses for this limited run. Staging productions in Aden is costly due to the lack of infrastructure, leading to high rental prices for essentials like lighting, sound systems, venues, security, and cleaning staff. Moreover, a large electric generator and fuel were necessary due to Aden's severe electricity crisis over the years. These expenses exceeded ticket sales capacity, especially with economic hardships post-war. Therefore, ticket prices were kept affordable, each costing no more than a dollar and a half.

To ensure broader accessibility, the troupe filmed the play to later release it in cinemas, which is a more cost-effective option than staging live performances.

Despite challenges, the public response to Hamlet in Aden shows how important culture is to the people there. Through their support for the play, they're demonstrating their commitment to keeping Aden's rich cultural heritage alive for future generations.

Critical Reception and Media Coverage
The production of Hamlet in Aden by Khaleej Aden Theatre Troupe has garnered significant attention from both local and international media, including renowned institutions such as Al Jazeera and France 24. The unique adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic into the Adeni dialect has been particularly praised for its cultural significance and artistic bravery.

The Taipei Times noted the play's success in gripping audiences, with director Amr Gamal planning additional shows due to the overwhelming response. The article highlighted the historical significance of performing Shakespeare in Yemen, emphasizing how the translation into the Adeni dialect gave the play a unique local flavor while retaining its universal themes. The Taipei Times also emphasized the logistical challenges and social taboos faced, particularly by female actors like Nour Zaker, who portrayed Ophelia.

Al-Monitor provided an in-depth look at the cultural and historical context of the play, pointing out Yemen's rich history of Shakespearean performances dating back over a century. The publication highlighted how the production, supported by the British Council, turned a centuries-old tale into a reflective platform for the country's current troubled times. It praised the cast’s resilience and the play's role in potentially sparking a cultural revival in Yemen.

Similarly, Al Jazeera and France 24 offered detailed coverage, delving into the intricacies of the production and its impact on Yemeni society. Al Jazeera's report focused on the significance of staging such a renowned work of literature in a country grappling with political turmoil. It highlighted the efforts of the Khaleej Aden Theatre Troupe in promoting cultural heritage amidst adversity.

France 24's coverage provided insights into the challenges faced by the production team, including securing venues and navigating societal norms. The article also emphasized the global relevance of Shakespeare's themes and how they resonated with audiences in Aden, despite the cultural and linguistic differences.

One of the most significant pieces of media coverage came from The Sunday Times, which underscored the international significance of the event. The newspaper sent a correspondent and photographer from London to cover the opening night in Aden, a testament to the global interest in this unique cultural project. The extensive coverage by *The Sunday Times* brought international attention to the play and the efforts of the Khaleej Aden Theatre Troupe, highlighting the transformative power of cultural initiatives in conflict zones.

The combination of local adaptation, historical significance, and international support has made Hamlet in Aden a standout cultural event, illustrating the resilience and creativity of Yemeni artists in the face of adversity.