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[title]Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre has been celebrating the Bard’s 450th birthday – which fell on April 23, 2014 – with an ambitious journey: taking Hamlet to every country in the world within two years. And Singapore is next on the list.
As the classic tragedy makes its stopover this month at the spankin’ new Capitol Theatre, we threw a few questions at the two actors who are taking turns to play the Prince of Denmark: 26-year-old Ladi Emeruwa from Lagos, Nigeria, and 27-year-old Naeem Hayat from London.
When did you first encounter Shakespeare?
Ladi Emeruwa: When I studied him at school.
Naeem Hayat: I was about 14 years old and a touring production of Macbeth came to my school.
For how long have you wanted to play Hamlet?
LE: Ever since I became interested in Shakespeare.
NH: I’ve always admired the play and role, but never in a million years thought I’d get the chance to play it.
Describe Hamlet in one sentence.
LE: Let me know when you’ve seen it.
NH: Almost impossible – he’s an incredibly sharp, witty, sensitive man with a genius-like brain who finds himself in extreme circumstances.
Complete the sentence: 'Ophelia is...'
LE: A victim of her circumstances.
NH: The love of Hamlet’s life.