Hamlet Hail to the Thief
Shakespeare meets Radiohead: Hamlet Hail to the Thief play tickets
Experience Shakespeare in a whole new way as the electric Hamlet Hail to the Thief play hits London. Fusing one of theatre’s greatest tragic plays with sounds from Radiohead’s sixth album Hail to the Thief, this urgent and inventive take on Hamlet distils the story to its emotional core, where ghosts and music reveal a dark truth at the heart of Elsinore. Catch it at the Barbican Theatre for a limited run this winter.
The King is dead, and Elsinore has become a surveillance state. As paranoia spreads through its citizens and friends turn against each other, Hamlet and Ophelia must confront the lies and corruption that threaten to destabilise their home. William Shakespeare’s great philosophical tragedy is haunted by ghosts, music and movement in this mesmerising reimagining, which features a live band on stage.
The new Hamlet Hail to the Thief play comes to London following sold out runs in Manchester and Stratford-upon-Avon, where it was praised as “a lucid, angsty revenge tragedy” (The Guardian). It is co-created by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke alongside acclaimed directors Christine Jones and Steven Hogett. Yorke reworks songs from Hail to the Thief to create a frenetic, deconstructed score that perfectly compliments Hamlet’s themes.
The cast includes Samuel Blenkin as Hamlet, Ami Tredrea as Ophelia, Paul Hilton as Claudius/Ghost, Claudia Harrison as Gertrude, Alby Baldwin as Horatio, Brandon Grace as Laertes and Nicholas Tennant as Polonius.
With stunning vocal performances and a story that, Hamlet Hail to the Thief is a “stunning collision of worlds” (Rolling Stone), and worth seeing even if you’ve only heard Radiohead’s bigger hits. Get ready to enjoy classic theatre turned thrillingly on its head, and book tickets now.
Child friendly?
The Hamlet Hail to the Thief play age rating is 14+.
Please note that Thom Yorke and Radiohead do not appear or perform in this production.