The National Theatre has released a first glimpse into rehearsals for Hamlet, directed by Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie, marking his debut production in the role.
This sharp, stylish and darkly funny reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy will run in the Lyttelton theatre from 25 September to 22 November 2025.
Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) returns to the National Theatre to take on the iconic role of Hamlet in this fearless contemporary staging.
The production will also be broadcast to cinemas via National Theatre Live from 22 January 2026.
Joining Abeysekera is a stellar cast including Joe Bolland (Guildenstern), Phil Cheadle (Marcellus), Ayesha Dharker (Gertrude), Ryan Ellsworth (Ghost), Tom Glenister (Laertes), Mary Higgins (Osric), Liz Jadav (Nurse), Kiren Kebaili-Dwyer (Fortinbras), Hari Mackinnon (Rosencrantz), Francesca Mills (Ophelia), Sophia Papadopoulos (Cornelius), Alistair Petrie (Claudius), Siobhán Redmond (First Player), Seb Slade (Francisco), Geoffrey Streatfeild (Polonius), Noel White (Bernardo) and Tessa Wong (Horatio).
The creative team includes set and costume designer Ben Stones, lighting designer Jessica Hung Han Yun, sound designer Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, composer Richard Taylor, movement director Ira Mandela Siobhan, fight director Kate Waters, casting directors Alastair Coomer CDG and Martin Poile CDG, and associate director Georgie Staight.
The National Theatre teases:
“The play’s the thing. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Are you watching closely?”
“Trapped between duty and doubt, surrounded by power and privilege, young Prince Hamlet dares to ask the ultimate question – you know the one.”
Hamlet will play in the Lyttelton theatre from 25 September to 22 November, with a press night on Thursday 2 October.
Assisted performances include captioned, audio described, BSL interpreted and relaxed performances throughout the run.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
