Ophelias Zimmer, Royal Court Theatre

Royal Court & Schaubühne collaboration
Hamlet gets a radical reworking in this new co-production between the Royal Court and Germany's foremost new writing theatre, Schaubühne Berlin. Ophelia Zimmers (Ophelia's Rooms) explores the character 'freed from Hamlet' in a feminist focus on one of literature's most tragic, overlooked heroines.

Ophelias Zimmers: London premiere
After a December premiere in Berlin, Ophelia Zimmers will come to the Royal Court for an ultrashort five-day run in May 2016.
As the title suggests, the play will not be translated for the London run and will be performed in German, with English surtitles.

Those of us who are not multi-lingual needn't be put off by the prospect of frantically reading along to keep up with a stream of incomprehensible words, however; Royal Court Artistic Director Vicky Featherstone promises the production is 'text light'. And with the Schaubühne's reputation for stylistic and formal innovation, this new narrative will likely use much more than just language to engage its audience.

Fittingly, this fresh feminist perspective is the product of three of theatre's most impressive female creatives: avant garde director Katie Mitchell, resident Royal Court designer Chloe Lamford and up-and-coming playwright Alice Birch. Each is known for breaking convention and grabbing audiences' attention so we are excited to see how they tell Ophelia's story. Expect an experimental, original and challenging experience.