"Hallucinations" is a new postmodern reading for the world humanitarian relationships through reflecting William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" main concepts.
The new theatrical vision is based on postmodern theatrical genres such as Physical Theater, Mime, Pantomime, and Black Theater.
This postmodern version of the play looks somehow strange because it will present a non-voiced reading for a Shakespearean gem. Moreover, the audience could experience some difficulties to understand the show as mime, and pantomime theatrical arts depend more on body movements, eye contact, light, and signs.
"Hallucinations" director Mohamed Abdullah told SEE News: "During my career in theater, I always relate novel to Dostoevsky, and drama to Shakespeare. Because I am deeply fascinated by the world of humanitarian feelings and the nature of emotional conflicts between people.
This play was never presented on the theater in non-voiced form."
Regarding selecting "The Merchant of Venice," he asserted that the play takes the plot and the conflict between the four main characters of the play: Antonio, Shylock, Bassanio, and Portia. Those four characters present the four main themes of the play: friendship, jealousy, love, and hatred.
After that, the director underscored that people who didn't read the play can distinguish the manners of each character. It is like using the Shakespearean play as a point of departure to a new and postmodern theatrical reading for humanity.
Therefore, the audience will watch a new vision, dark or disappointing vision, for human relations. So, watchers may refute their real-life relations!
Abdullah explained: "Re-evaluating real-life human relations is the core of the show, the concept of the mirror, or situating the audience in the show's plot, to make them relate to every minor detail in the show! that's why I named the show "Hallucinations."
He continued: "Every element matters in the show including accessories, music, makeup, props, and costumes, alongside light." He continued that this dependence on light could not be related to Brecht's Epic Theater.
The director revealed some details about the soon-to-be-staged show such as the duration of it which is 60 minutes.
Furthermore, the play consists of one long scene. So, the audience should focus for the whole 60 minutes to not miss any major event.
Regarding the process of selecting the cast, Abdullah said that he depends on two major elements in selecting the cast as he combines professional actors who have impressive skills and expert performers of mime and pantomime to have the best reflection of the show's themes.
Regarding the spatial and temporal dimensions of the events, he said: "The decoration of the show will tell the audience that the events take place in a nameless and uncertain setting without specifying any time or location to make it more universal."
"Hallucinations" will be staged on the Al-Hanager Theater at Cairo Opera House starting from the end of this week.
The crew consists of the director Mohamed Abdullah, assistant director Marwa Hassan, executive director Ahmed Reda, Omar Ezz, Basma Narouz, Youssef Hany, Asmaa Ibrahiem, Amira Ibrahiem, Reem Essam, Abdallah Sultan, Abdel Rahman Al Kadi, Jeorj Fawzi, Nesma Adel, Moatassem Shaaban, and Mostafa Hozayen.
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