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Ballet Dancer Robert Helpmann as Hamlet
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Ballet Dancer Robert Helpmann as Hamlet
Ballet Dancer Robert Helpmann (1909-1986) as Hamlet - London, New Theatre - Old Vic Production. Date: circa 1942
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Media ID 19601461
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Adaptation Alas Ballet Dancer Denmark Hamlet Helpmann Oct19 Performance Performers Poor Role Shakespeare Skull Tragic Yorick
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this photograph, Australian-born ballet dancer Robert Helpmann (1909-1986) takes on the iconic role of Shakespeare's tragic prince, Hamlet, in a bold and innovative adaptation of the classic play. The image, captured during the Old Vic Production at London's New Theatre around 1942, showcases Helpmann's extraordinary talent and versatility as a performer. Dressed in the somber attire of the Danish prince, Helpmann holds the skull of Yorick, the jester, with a pensive and melancholic expression. The prop skull, a poignant reminder of mortality and the fleeting nature of life, adds an air of solemnity to the scene. Helpmann's portrayal of Hamlet, a complex character known for his introspection and indecision, is brought to life through the language of dance. The 1940s, a time of great turmoil and change, saw a surge in experimental adaptations of Shakespeare's works for the stage. Helpmann's dance-theater interpretation of Hamlet, which combined the elegance and grace of ballet with the depth and complexity of Shakespeare's text, was a groundbreaking achievement. The production, which received critical acclaim, showcased Helpmann's unique ability to captivate audiences through movement and emotion. This photograph, with its striking composition and evocative imagery, offers a glimpse into the world of this innovative and thought-provoking production. The image, imbued with the tragic weight of Hamlet's soliloquy "Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy," serves as a poignant reminder of the power of art to explore the depths of the human condition.
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