Ophelia: Madness (in Blue) (Stage, 2017)

Ophelia: Madness (in blue) is a music theatre production, celebrating the other story of Shakespeare's virtuous and passionate heroine. In this extraordinary 45 minute work, originally composed in 1983 by acclaimed Russian pianist and composer Sergei Dreznin, audiences hear the story of Shakespeare’s young maiden retold in song, combining blues, jazz and classical vocals, Elizabethan verse and cello and piano accompaniment. This lyrical re-imagining of 'Hamlet' enjoyed its UK premiere at The Kitchen, The Station in Bristol in November 2016, delighting and captivating audiences, and receiving great acclaim. A 2017 tour of the production is currently underway.

Ophelia: Madness (in blue) features two actresses who portray Ophelia in different performances. The Royal Academy of Music's Sandra Kassman and Mountview Academy of Art's Emily McDouall both explore Ophelia in distinct but equally resonant ways. In this spirit, the piece also features two actors who portray Hamlet: Tom Manson and Luke Roberts.