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Legendary Hamlet, Gets a Flamenco Makeover At Dubai
Experience the Middle East debut of the Jesús Herrera Flamenco Ballet with his non-verbal, flamenco-inspired take on Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
On Friday, January 24, 2026, Shakespeare’s most famous prince is switching from poetry to something much more visceral. Marking its Dubai debut, the Jesús Herrera Flamenco Ballet is bringing a haunting, high-octane interpretation of Hamlet to the Zabeel Theatre at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.
This play is a non-verbal cry of the soul where the legendary tragedy is told entirely through the stomps, claps, and raw emotion of flamenco!
Hamlet’s flamenco ballet with live music & choir
At the heart of this production is Jesús Herrera, a choreographer and dancer whose footwork has been described by critics as "expressive, bold, and powerful." Herrera has spent over 25 years dominating professional stages from Japan to Seville, and with Hamlet, he’s making his Middle East debut.
But he isn’t coming alone! To elevate the drama to epic proportions, he’s joined by the Orfeón Donostiarra, one of Europe’s most prestigious choirs. Founded in 1897, this Grammy-nominated 170-member choir has collaborated with the Berlin Philharmonic, earning major international recognition.
Drawing inspiration from the dark, atmospheric works of Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky, this live orchestra is a combination of the thunderous voices of the choir, and the "cante jondo" (deep song) of flamenco. The director calls the result an "oxymoron" - opposing elements that come together to create a unified, heart-pounding meaning.
Instead of a scene-by-scene reenactment of the book, Herrera focuses on the existential depths of Prince Hamlet’s tormented life. Every gesture reflects the eternal conflict between reason and passion, renunciation and revenge.
This is an ultimate hypnotic theatrical experience where movement replaces words, staging the madness and solitude of the human soul through the energy of dance. With a cast of 30+ artists on stage, the production creates a mirror of the human experience that is as beautiful as it is tragic.
Tickets: when and where to buy
When: Friday, the 24th of January, 2026.
Show Timing: Choose between the 7:00 PM or 9:00 PM performance.
Where: Zabeel Theatre, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah.
Price: Entry starts at AED 166+, with premium seating going up to AED 950.
Dubai
Hamlet — Flamenco Ballet with Live Music & Choir by Jesús Herrera
AED 166
Ready to see the most famous tragedy in history reimagined as a flamenco fever dream? Head over to Platinumlist to grab your tickets before they sell out!
