Stage: The Masque presents Shakespeare’s Hamlet in a fresh new production

There is much anticipation for the Masque’s production of Hamlet, directed by Yuri Behari-Leak. This gender-swapping adaption of the Bard’s Hamlet is on May 9 -17, 2025. The cast includes Hanna Todd, Gavin Werner, Leila Sasman and Ethan Andrew Wilton. Read on for more. This production explores The play “explores how we stay true to ourselves in a world of fame, celebrity and social media where appearance often eclipses reality.” Intrigued? Read on for more. Info as supplied:

The Masque proudly presents Shakespeare’s classic tragedy HAMLET in a fresh new production

The Masque is proud to present Shakespeare’s classic tragedy HAMLET in a fresh new production that will resonate with everyone from high school learners to Shakespeare enthusiasts. Directed by Yuri Behari-Leak, HAMLET will be presented at The Masque from May 9 -17, 2025.

This gender-swapped adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy follows Hamlet, a young director at a modern film production studio soon before the premiere of her latest film, as she tries to avenge her mother’s death. The production stays true to Shakespeare’s text as our heroine grapples with her own identity and morality, and adds the layer of how Hamlet can bring the perpetrator of gender-based violence to justice while staying on a feminist path.

The play explores how we stay true to ourselves in a world of fame, celebrity and social media where appearance often eclipses reality.

‘As a testament to Shakespeare’s remarkable insight into the human condition, we are thrilled to present this production in a modern setting while staying true to the original language,” says Director Yuri Behari-Leak.

“This fresh approach is sure to help high school learners as they engage with their setwork, while also appealing to Shakespeare aficionados. We’ve also trimmed the play to make it a more manageable length for a modern audience, without losing the key elements of what make Hamlet the classic it is.”

The cast includes Hanna Todd, Gavin Werner, Leila Sasman and Ethan Andrew Wilton.

Yuri Behari-Leak is a Cape Town based storyteller with an eclectic range of creative and academic interests. He holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Psychology, Law and Film, an Honours degree in Psychology, and an LLB, all from the University of Cape Town.

He has written, directed and produced several short films, including a short documentary, and has acted in plays such as The Great Gatsby (2022) and Twelfth Night (2023). Yuri is currently a teaching assistant and researcher at UCT in the Public Law department, and he also tutors and lectures in the Psychology department.

HAMLET will be presented on:

May 9, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17 at 19h30

May 10, 11 and 17 at 14h30

Tickets cost from R130

Bookings can be made at Quicket

Special block booking rates are available for high schools – email admin@themasque.co.za

The Box Office at The Masque is open three days a week.

Visit them on Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays between 9am and 2pm.

The Masque is situated at 37 Main Rd, Muizenberg, Cape Town, 7950, South Africa.

Parking is available at the venue. Wheelchair Access and Facilities available.

The Masque has a back-up generator so the show will go on, even when there is load shedding!

*Join The Masque community! Become a member and have your say in the theatre. You can also sign up as a volunteer to participate on stage or behind the scenes, from stage management to archiving the wardrobe department! 

Sign up here https://www.themasque.co.za/volunteer

The Masque

The Masque is an iconic cornerstone of Cape Town’s cultural landscape, celebrating over six decades of fostering creativity, inclusivity and community spirit. Founded by the visionary Bertie Stern, The Masque boldly stood as a beacon of inclusivity, one of only two theatres at the time that welcomed participants of all backgrounds through its doors. 

Home to many amateur theatre societies over the years, it was forced to close in 1997 following a devastating fire. It reopened in 1999, largely thanks to the generosity of the late Joan St Leger-Lindberg. This enabled The Masque to carry on with its work as a vibrant and resilient community-driven venue, encouraging voluntary participation in all forms of theatre by all people. 

Today, under the dedicated stewardship of the Stern Masque Theatre Trust, The Masque continues to thrive, curating high-quality amateur productions, promoting skills development, providing a service of artistic engagement with the community, celebrating diversity and building on the theatre’s reputation as a sought-after professional venue-for-hire.

Through innovation, growth and creativity, as well as the support of volunteers and members, The Masque remains an important part of the social fabric, welcoming audiences of all backgrounds to experience the magic of live theatre.

The Masque offers a wide range of projects and programmes, including:

*Annual productions such as its holiday season fairytale and Valentine’s Soiree;
*The Youth Theatre and Curtain Up Clubs running for 8 – 16 year olds in term time;
*Film masterclasses;
*The chance for people to learn about theatre with The Masque’s workshops, covering topics such as set design, sound and lighting and directing;
*A playreading series that provides the chance for writers to have their new scripts brought to life, as well as the opportunity for the public to be part of the development process.

✳ Gavin Werner and Leila Sasman in Hamlet to be staged at the Masque in Cape Town, May 9 -17, 2025. Photo: Wesley Amos. Supplied. Sponsored content.