| A Ballet by | Boris Eifman |
| Music | Ludwig van Beethoven & Gustav Mahler |
พ่อถูกฆ่า
แม่ขึ้นครองบัลลังก์
และเขา… คือผู้เห็นทุกอย่าง
จากแรงบันดาลใจของ Hamlet โดย William Shakespeare สู่บัลเลต์สุดเข้มข้นที่ตีแผ่ชีวิตจริงของพระเจ้าซาร์ปอลที่ 1 แห่งรัสเซีย เมื่อยังทรงเป็นเจ้าชายพอล รัชทายาทผู้โดดเดี่ยวที่เติบโตขึ้นท่ามกลางการทรยศ อำนาจ และความหวาดระแวง
เมื่อพระบิดาถูกลอบสังหารเพื่อเปิดทางให้พระมารดาขึ้นครองบัลลังก์ โลกทั้งใบของเจ้าชายก็พังทลาย ชีวิตในราชสำนักที่ดูงดงามกลับกลายเป็นกรงทองที่เต็มไปด้วยเล่ห์เหลี่ยมและเกมการเมือง จากชายหนุ่มผู้เปี่ยมด้วยความหวัง พระองค์ค่อย ๆ ถูกผลักสู่ความหวาดกลัว ความสับสน และภาพหลอนที่ไล่ตามไม่สิ้นสุด
นี่คือบัลเลต์ที่ไม่ใช่แค่เรื่องของอำนาจ
แต่คือการล่มสลายของมนุษย์คนหนึ่ง
ผลงานระดับโลกของ Boris Eifman ถ่ายทอดโศกนาฏกรรมทางจิตวิทยาผ่านท่วงท่าที่ดุดัน เข้มข้น และสะเทือนอารมณ์ทุกวินาที
“To be, or not to be?”
คำถามนี้… อาจไม่ใช่แค่ของแฮมเล็ตเท่านั้น
History buffs will love Russian Hamlet, which takes us inside the mind of Paul I, the Romanov heir who feels less like a future tsar than a prisoner in a palace closing in around him. As a child, he witnesses his father’s murder. As a young man, he is rejected by his mother, Catherine the Great, who withholds both power and affection. A marriage meant to steady him unravels into betrayal and loss, and glittering court life turns into a haunting nightmare.
When he finally finds the courage to stand up to his mother, will he have the strength to face what follows?
Eifman draws striking parallels between Paul’s life and Shakespeare’s Hamlet, both trapped in worlds of power, suspicion, and inner turmoil. Performed by a company renowned for its emotional intensity, this original ballet is haunting, powerful, and unforgettable.
Synopsis
Prologue
Russia during the reign of Peter III. Catherine, the Emperor’s wife, is humiliated by the drunken debauchery of her unloved husband. Her Court Favorite aids her in staging a coup against the Emperor. Young Prince Paul becomes an involuntary witness to the assassination of his father.
Act 1
We are in the chambers of the Royal Palace. Paul is lonely among hypocritical courtiers, in the atmosphere of meaningless fuss of the maids, gossip and intrigue. The Empress, his mother is inaccessible, always shielded by her Favorite. Catherine is not prepared to share her power. She keeps her son away from the affairs of state.
The Empress comes to a decision that an early marriage might divert the Heir from any contemplation of succeeding to the throne.
Paul is happy with his wife, but she is filled with ambitious plans – she puts pressure on her husband to contest his right for the throne of Russia. The Empress discovers the young bride’s intentions. Lies and treachery are commonplace at court. Catherine’s next scheme destroys the Heir’s happy life in marriage following betrayal of his wife, who becomes the Favorite’s prey. But even that is not enough: the death of his beloved is the price he pays for pursuit of the throne.
Act 2
The labyrinths of the Royal Palace frighten Paul with cold hostility and take away the hope of breaking free from the power of the Empress. The Heir dreams of glorious military victories. But this is just an illusion of power.
In his reminiscences Paul sees his dead wife, his childhood, his murdered father.
The masquerade ball, presided over by the Empress, grows into an orgy. Paul invites Catherine to a theatrical performance. The actors, instructed by the Heir, play the scene of the murder of the king by his unfaithful wife and her lover. The Empress, who recognizes the allusion to her participation in the conspiracy, is furious. Paul for the first time finds strength to stand up to his mother.
The Favorite is in turmoil. With his caresses he tries to reclaim the Empress’ affection but in vain – he served his purpose.
The Ghost of the Heir’s father urges Paul to retaliate. In his imagination the Heir takes the longed for revenge: the Favorite dies in the arms of the phantom of the king he murdered. In the whirlwind of images Paul sees the Empress. Now it is her turn, he only has to wave his sword… but the Heir cannot deal a deadly blow to his mother.
The Empress’ price for the throne is complete spiritual isolation. Fear of death fills her soul.
Even dreams about ascension to the throne do not bring joy to Paul. He foresees the fatal ending of his short-lived rule. The Heir is not destined to attain the glory of his mother. And Paul understands: he is only a prisoner of his dreams, a reflection of his own anxious phantasmagoria.
