The sixth edition of No Limits will be held from 24 February to 18 May, co-presented by the Hong Kong Arts Festival and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Showcasing human perspectives through works addressing topical issues and problems faced by people in their everyday lives, the festival will feature performances and screenings conceived and performed by artists with disabilities from Hong Kong and around the world.

One of the highlights of the 2024 edition is Hamlet, a bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic work, told by and for those who struggle to be accepted. Presented by Teatro La Plaza from Lima, Peru, the performance will be held on 8, 9 and 10 March at Kwai Tsing Theatre Auditorium. This will be the Asia premiere of the play.

Hamlet, by Teatro La Plaza, No Limits 2024

Sharing their desires and frustrations, a group of young people with Down syndrome take the stage in this  freely adapted version of Hamlet. Constructed around Shakespeare’s original text mixed with personal anecdotes from the actors’ lives, the production explores the play’s central question “To be or not to be”. Showcasing the impact on individuals whose lives have historically been considered a burden or a social waste, the play invites the audience to consider the value and meaning of existence in a contemporary world where human worth is often measured against unattainable standards of efficiency, production and beauty.

Far from giving lessons or making the audience feel guilty, the play offers an eye-opening and provocative look at questions of inclusion and discrimination in a joyous celebration of life and theatre in all forms, by blending personal monologues, classical drama, pop music, dance and wry humour.

Chela de Ferrari

Ahead of the performance, we had the chance to discuss with Chela de Ferrari, founder of the non-profit institution Teatro La Plaza, and Playwright and Director of Hamlet. She shared with us the origin of the play, the collaborative process with the actors, and the aim to build a bridge between the actors and the audience, between neuro diverse people and neuro typical people.

How came the idea of creating this play?

Interested in Shakespeare’s works, Hamlet appeared as a possibility every time I was faced with choosing my next project and I always ruled it out for the same reason: I couldn’t find the actor for the character. Until Jaime Cruz appeared. Jaime had worked as an usher in our theatre, but his desire was to be an actor. The project awakened because of the new possibilities that an actor like him could offer to the meaning of Shakespeare’s words. Hamlet is the fruit of that first interest. What the audience experience is a mirror reproducing that first encounter: it exposes their ignorance and awakens their desire for exchange.

Jaime Cruz in “Hamlet”

Is it the first time you create a play for and with people with Down syndrome? What makes it particular and what are the challenges?

Before this project, I had not worked with neuro diverse people. We started with a lot of uncertainty. We wondered if it would be possible for people with cognitive difficulties to approach the complexity of Hamlet and the existential questions. Could they appropriate the work and generate their own narratives?

We did a casting. We were looking for diversity, we wanted to embrace the characteristics that are part of that diversity, such as difficulty in vocalising, diction problems, stuttering, long tempos, blank moments, or overreaction. We wanted to find value in those characteristics which, according to our conventions, define bad performance.

We rehearsed for a year while it normally takes three months. Since we created the work together, it was a longer process, a luxury that we can’t usually afford. The cast broke some myths. Some specialists recommended to not do rehearsals of more than an hour and a half. But our rehearsals, five days a week, have been more than 4 hours a day, for more than 2 months!

Actors in “Hamlet” by Teatro La Plaza

Is there something particular with people with Down syndrome? Do they express their passion and emotion differently on stage?

The cast is made up of eight unique actors and actresses. Their tastes, desires, interests, and sensitivities are diverse. The same thing happens on stage. The way they express their emotions is diverse also. What I can say is that they are the most committed and fun actors I have had the pleasure of directing! They are always willing to try new ideas with interest and deep enthusiasm. And that energy is transferred to the audience in each performance.

What message do you want to convey?

We seek to shorten the distance between neuro diverse people and neuro typical people. We want to deliver an original Hamlet, created by a group of actors and actresses who asked themselves essential questions that they transferred to the montage. We would like the public to see themselves reflected and to ask questions about their own condition and existence. This group of actors discovered that “theatre can serve to reveal truths”, as one of them says in the play.

Hamlet, by Teatro La Plaza

Is it your first performance in Hong Kong? What are you excited about?

I have been lucky enough to visit Hong Kong many years ago, and I found it a fascinating city. I left with the promise of returning, but I didn’t imagine it would be with one of my own works.

It is the Asia premiere of Hamlet. We are interested in knowing the reality that people with Down syndrome experience in Hong Kong, and the kind of reception Hamlet will have. Will it be different from the other countries we have visited?

More details on Hamlet can be found here: Hamlet

Tickets can be booked here: https://www.art-mate.net/doc/71073

Schedule at Kwai Tsing Theatre Auditorium
Friday 8 March – 8pm
Saturday 9 March – 8pm
Sunday 10 Mar – 3pm

Subtitles and accessible captions in Chinese and English, audio description in Cantonese, house programme in audio format available. Guide dogs welcome.