Review: Hahaha–Hamlet, Fringe 2025

What do you get when you mix Shakespeare, three dancing chickens, a lightsaber, a rap battle, a singing ghost, and Hong Kong in 2025? The answer is a hilarious and thought-provoking show. Hahaha–Hamlet is a new show from an emerging company of Hong Kong performers. This isn’t just a truncated version of the classic; it’s a clever, modern play that uses Shakespeare’s tale as a counterpoint to a story about life in Hong Kong.

An Interlacing of Stories

Rather than a straightforward performance of Hamlet, the play is interlaced with scenes from modern-day Hong Kong. We follow a young student who decides to write her master’s thesis on the famous play. Her teacher initially approves of her plan to focus on the history of it being banned by communist regimes. However, his opinion soon changes, and he tells her that he will not grade the paper if she continues with the topic. It’s an insightful touch given Hong Kong’s current political situation. Another storyline follows an everyman desperately trying to get a refund for a late food delivery. While at first, these modern vignettes seem out of place, they all share the central theme of “to be or not to be” and the struggle for personal agency.

The Language of Performance

With the show being performed in both English and Cantonese, surtitles are used to help the audience follow along. The surtitles, projected onto a large screen at the back of the stage, were well-timed and allowed for easy comprehension of the Cantonese dialogue. The show’s humour and energy, however, often transcends language. The performers are excellent and expressive, making it easy to understand the core emotions and the humour of each scene. The use of different musical styles, from pop to rap, and even themes from classic Hong Kong television dramas, brings a lively and dynamic feel to the performance.

Overall

Hahaha–Hamlet is a fun, energetic, and highly entertaining rendition of Shakespeare’s classic. You don’t need to be an expert in the Bard to enjoy it. The show is perfect for anyone looking for a unique and memorable Fringe experience. It’s an innovative experiment that works brilliantly. This is a clever and humorous show that manages to be both a fun romp and a serious commentary on freedom of expression. A worthy addition to any Fringe-goer’s schedule.