February 9, 2025
THE SHAKESPEARE COMPANY PRESENTS
RAOUL BHANEJA’S CRITICALLY ACLAIMED
HAMLET (SOLO) IN CALGARY MAY 7-10
Calgary, AB – The Shakespeare Company is thrilled to present the internationally acclaimed Hamlet (solo), performed by Raoul Bhaneja, directed by Robert Ross Parker and produced by Hope and Hell Theatre Company, at the Vertigo Studio Theatre for a limited run May 7-10.
Hamlet (solo) is an exciting one-man version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet performed by award-winning Canadian actor Raoul Bhaneja and directed by New York-based OBIE Award winner Robert Ross Parker.
Winner of the 2022 Best Actor Award at New York’s United Solo Festival, the world’s largest festival of solo work; winner of the Montreal English Critic’s Circle Award for Best Visiting Production; and 2012 nominee for the Calgary Critic’s Award for Best Solo Show, Hamlet (solo) has been performed over 150 times in 25 different cities since its debut in 2006.
“This is such a great opportunity to bring this show back to Calgary. We’ve had to adjust our season to accommodate it, but it might be the last chance for us to get this show before Raoul gets too busy with TV and film work.” said Richard Beaune, The Shakespeare Company’s Artistic Director, who noted the play was first staged for Calgary audiences in 2012 as part of the Magnetic North Festival.
Tickets will be on sale soon. For more information, please visit shakespearecompany.com.
Hamlet (solo) combines the ancient art of storytelling and the modern “one-man show”. It’s a thrilling evening highlighting the three most essential elements of theatre: The Actor, The Text and The Audience. This production is best described as “bare bones” in its presentation with Bhaneja playing seventeen parts in a two-hour version using only Shakespeare’s text. This critically acclaimed production has been enjoyed by audiences as diverse as the people of Inuvik, a community north of the Arctic Circle and the next generation of Britain’s young actors at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. An exceptional and rare experience for both the novice and Shakespeare enthusiast!
RAOUL BHANEJA is one of Canada’s most recognizable stage and screen actors with extensive credits in both mediums, a Gemini and Canadian Comedy Award nominee and Christopher Plummer Artistic Fellowship Award winner. A Maple Blues Award winner as leader of RAOUL and THE BIG TIME he is also a celebrated blues musician.
ROBERT ROSS PARKER is the co-artistic director of the Obie winning Vampire Cowboys where he has directed Vampire Cowboy Trilogy, A Beginner’s Guide to Deicide, Living Dead in Denmark, Men of Steel, Fight Girl/Battle World, Soul Samurai, and Alice in Slasherland. Other directing credits include She Kills Monsters at The Flea, Goodbye Cruel World (also adapter, Roundtable Ensemble), and numerous projects for Ensemble Studio Theatre.
The Shakespeare Company has brought the Bard alive for Calgarians through both Shakespeare and Shakespeare-inspired plays since 1995. They are committed to making Shakespeare accessible through innovative performances and inspired directing.
