While this might not be the case of former Miss Nepal Shristi Shrestha, fans can catch her in the ongoing play 'Hamlet' at Theater Village in Lazimpat. Shristi makes her theater debut with this play where she is Hamlet's lover Ophelia or Ojaswi.'Hamlet' is a joint production of the British Embassy in Nepal and Theater Village as part of the Britain-Nepal bicentennial celebrations. The play is in Nepali and is 1 hour 45 minutes long.
Directed by British director Gregory Thompson with Bimal Subedi as associate director, Shakespeare's play has been translated to Nepali by Shristi Bhattarai.
When the king's brother Claudius poisons his king and brother to death, he rises to power and also marries the queen. Then one day prince Hamlet has a conversation with the spirit of his dead father who tells him that he was murdered by Claudius. Hamlet wants to avenge his father's death but he does so at a great cost. He not only loses his mother and his lover but also loses his life in the process.
Most audiences watching this play probably knows the storyline by heart, but what keeps them on the edge of their seats is the performance; it is so intense that the audiences feel like they're watching a film. What further makes this adaptation of William Shakespeare's popular Renaissance drama interesting is the good use of Nepali folk music to give it a Nepali feel. Some parts of popular songs 'Sora Barse Umeraima' and 'Jimmuwal' have been incorporated in the play.
Actor Divya Dev Pant, who plays the titular role, does full justice to the often indecisive and cynical but reflective and thoughtful character of Hamlet. He puts the audience together throughout the play with his powerful performance. Shristi, with her soft voice, has artistically played her part of sweet and innocent girl, Ojaswi (Ophelia). Likewise, audiences will enjoy performances by actors Raj Kumar Pudasaini, Kamal Mani Nepal, Aruna Karki and Bhola Raj Sapkota who command their audiences' attention.
The play will be staged every day, except on Wednesdays, till May 7. 'Hamlet' will then be staged in London on May 27 and 28.
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