An adaptation of the characters and texts from Hamlet, the production Hamuleto was conceived by director Leo Sykes and actress Simone Reis. They take the Shakespearean classic and the mythology of the orixás as their starting point to speak about spirituality. Hence the title Hamuleto, a play on the words Hamlet and amulet, which translates the idea of the mystical, the sacred. In this free Brazilian adaptation, which has death and spirituality as its main focuses, the spectre of the dead father manifests in the form of a spirit (linked to the elements and beliefs of Brazilian religiosity) and functions as one of the three axes that drive the plot. The other two are the mother Gertrude and Ophelia, Hamlet's girlfriend, who dies by drowning. She, indeed, returns to the world of the living after departing and is present for the rest of the story. "Whilst Shakespeare and the aspects of Candomblé, Umbanda, and Spiritism may appear disconnected, they unite perfectly when it comes to a staging about the world of the dead, precisely what we wanted to portray," state the composers of the play.
Simone Reis interprets all the characters in the plot—she is alone on stage. The project was developed from the actress's master's research at UFBA, focusing on Brazilian religiosity. Life and death are questions that run through Hamuleto. Costume and set design are by Sônia Paiva. Lighting by Jamile Tormann. Direction by Leo Sykes. Assistant Direction by Claudia Leal.
