Five Truths

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What are the differences between five of the most influential European theatre practitioners of the 20th century? How would these five directors work with the actress playing Ophelia in the famous mad scene in Shakespeare's Hamlet? What would they ask the actress to do and how would they ask the actress to behave? A video installation called Five Truths commissioned by the V&A in partnership with the National Theatre was created by a group of contemporary theatre makers lead by Katie Mitchell, looking at these questions. The multi-screen installation brings together five interpretations of Ophelia's madness in Hamlet. and consists of ten short films suggesting possible variations in what you might see. Ten screens of varying sizes simultaneously play films of Ophelia interpreted dramatically through the lens of Constantin Stanislavski, Antonin Artaud, Bertolt Brecht, Jerzy Grotowski and Peter Brook.

National Theatre


    • Nov 21, 2013 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 7m AVG DURATION
    • 7 EPISODES


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    Five Truths - background pack

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2013


    This is a background pack to accompany the Five Truths.

    Five Truths - work pack

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2013


    This is a work pack to accompany the Five Truths.

    Bertolt Brecht

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2012 9:07


    This video focuses on a Brechtian approach to the character of Ophelia. Created by Katie Mitchell, curated by Kate Bailey for the V&A in partnership with the National Theatre.

    Jerzy Grotowski

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2012 4:59


    This video focuses on a Grotowski inspired approach to the character of Ophelia. Created by Katie Mitchell, curated by Kate Bailey for the V&A in partnership with the National Theatre.

    created national theatre katie mitchell jerzy grotowski kate bailey grotowski
    Peter Brook

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2012 9:10


    This video focuses on a Brook inspired approach to the character of Ophelia. Created by Katie Mitchell, curated by Kate Bailey for the V&A in partnership with the National Theatre.

    Antonin Artaud

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2012 9:08


    This video focuses on an Artaud inspired approach to the character of Ophelia. Created by Katie Mitchell, curated by Kate Bailey for the V&A in partnership with the National Theatre.

    Constantin Stanislavski

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2012 7:25


    This video focuses on a Stankislavskian approach to the character of Ophelia. Created by Katie Mitchell, curated by Kate Bailey for the V&A in partnership with the National Theatre.

    created national theatre katie mitchell kate bailey constantin stanislavski

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