Following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh International Festival 2024, Teatro La Plaza’s bold and vibrant take on the classic tragedy Hamlet is coming to His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen. Inspired by ‘To Be or Not To Be’ and performed by an extraordinary cast of actors with Down syndrome, this Hamlet is a fearless challenge to exclusion and prejudice, celebrating community and resilience.
1. What does it mean to you – and to Aberdeen Performing Arts – to bring this production of Hamlet back to Scotland as part of its world tour?
At Aberdeen Performing Arts, our ethos is simple: everyone is welcome here. We’re committed to embedding that spirit of inclusion in everything we do—whether it’s on our stages, in our cafés and bars, or through our festivals and community work. Welcoming Hamlet by Teatro La Plaza, a production that has inclusion and representation at its very heart, feels like a natural and meaningful extension of that mission. It’s an honour to bring such a powerful, globally acclaimed piece back to Scotland, one that challenges perceptions and celebrates the richness of diverse artistic voices.
2. Why was it important for you and your team to ensure that audiences in the northeast of Scotland had the chance to experience this production firsthand?
We want our audiences to be both entertained and challenged, and it’s important to us that people in the northeast have access to work of the same scale and ambition usually found in the central belt or even London. Aberdeen is a brilliant destination in its own right — accessible, welcoming, and full of culture — and we’re proud to showcase everything the area has to offer. By programming productions like Hamlet, we’re giving local audiences world-class experiences close to home, while also inviting visitors to discover Aberdeen as a vibrant, affordable city for outstanding theatre and the arts.
3. What impact do you hope bringing productions of this scale and significance will have on local audiences, artists, and the wider community in the northeast?
I want the work we bring to our stages to inspire our local artists to create with courage and ambition — to make work that feels rooted in the northeast but resonates far beyond. It’s about showing that creativity from this region can have real global impact while staying true to our identity and community. I also hope our audiences feel encouraged to be just as brave — to take a chance on new, thought-provoking, and sometimes challenging productions. That spirit of openness and curiosity is what keeps the arts alive and evolving here in Aberdeen.
4. What was it about this production that made you want to bring it to His Majesty’s Theatre specifically?
This production was one of the hottest tickets at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2024, and anything that generates that level of excitement is worth pursuing. Our ambition with international presentations is to bring those must-see productions to Aberdeen — shows that might not have the profile of West End work but carry the same creative brilliance and impact. It’s always a bit of a risk, but it’s one we’re happy to take if it means introducing new audiences to His Majesty’s Theatre and giving our loyal theatregoers the chance to experience something bold, unexpected, and truly world-class.
5. What would you say to someone who’s considering travelling to Aberdeen to see this Hamlet – why is this a moment they shouldn’t miss?
Don’t miss this moment — Hamlet by Teatro La Plaza is truly unique and unlike anything else you’ll see this year. It’s a powerful, thought-provoking, and deeply human production that challenges and inspires in equal measure. By joining us, audiences are standing alongside Aberdeen Performing Arts in supporting bold, risk-taking work that pushes boundaries and celebrates the richness of diverse voices. It’s a chance to experience something unforgettable right here in Aberdeen — moving, entertaining, and full of heart.
Teatro La Plaza’s Hamlet will play in Spanish with English subtitles at His Majesty’s Theatre from Thu 06 Nov to Sat 08 Nov 2025. Tickets are available from Aberdeen Performing Arts box office and www.aberdeenperformingarts.com.