Hamlet Hail to the Thief

Shakespeare’s great tragedy and Radiohead’s critically acclaimed album collide for a mesmerising live experience that fuses theatre, music and movement.

In this frenetic distillation of Shakespeare's masterpiece, music becomes part of the narrative.

Elsinore has become a surveillance state and hectic runs in the blood of its citizens. Paranoia reigns and no one is spared a tragic unravelling. Hamlet and Ophelia awake to lies and corruption revealed by ghosts and music.

Brimming with energy, Hamlet Hail to the Thief distils Shakespeare’s great tragedy to its dark and glittering emotional core.

Coming to our stage following sold-out runs in Manchester and Stratford-upon-Avon, the production is co-created by Thom Yorke and celebrated directors Christine Jones and Steven Hoggett. Yorke has reworked the band's sixth album into a deconstructed score that illuminates the text and is performed by live musicians.

Running time: Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes (no interval)

Age guidance: 14+

Sign-up to hear more at https://hamlethailtothethief.com/

Please note that Radiohead are not performing at Hamlet Hail to the Thief. Radiohead's album 'Hail to the Thief' is reworked by Thom Yorke for the production and will be performed live on stage by a cast of musicians and actors.

These accessibility provisions are available for this event.

Creative Team

Written by William Shakespeare
Adapted by Christine Jones with Steven Hoggett
Orchestrations by Thom Yorke
Directed by Steven Hoggett and Christine Jones
Music by Radiohead
AMP Scenography featuring Sadra Tehrani Scenography
Justin Levine Arranger
Tom Brady Music Supervisor & Music Director
Jess Williams Choreographer
Gareth Fry Sound Designer
Will Duke Projection Designer
Jessica Hung Han Yun Lighting Designer
Lisa Duncan Costume Designer
Charlotte Sutton CDG, for the RSC Casting Director
Ayanna Thompson Dramaturg & Textual Consultant
Francesca Murray-Fuentes Associate Director

Cast

Samuel Blenkin Hamlet
Ami Tredrea Ophelia
Paul Hilton Claudius/Ghost
Claudia Harrison Gertrude
Alby Baldwin Horatio
Brandon Grace Laertes
Felipe Pacheco Guildenstern
Romaya Weaver Barnarda, Player Queen and understudy Ophelia
Marienella Phillips Rosencrantz, Barnarda, Player Queen and Gravedigger
Nicolas Tennant Polonius
Merryl Ansah Gravedigger and understudy
Miles Barrow Rosencrantz and understudy Hamlet
Halim Diwani Understudy Laertes, Horatio and Guildenstern
Gavin James Understudy Claudius and Polonius
Ed Begley Vocals
Tom Brady Music Supervisor, Music Director and Keys 2
Jenny Clifford Guitars
Joe Downard Bass Guitar
Shane Forbes Drums
Meg Hill Vocals
Tom Knowles Associate Music Supervisor and Keys 1
Adam Martin Guitars
Meg Hill Vocals
Tom Knowles Associate Music Supervisor and Keys 1
Adam Martin Guitars
Emilio Moreno Arias Singers
Josephina Ortiz Lewis Singers