Rehearsals are now underway for Hamlet, the first production directed by Robert Hastie in his new role as Deputy Artistic Director of the National Theatre.
Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) returns to the National Theatre to take on the iconic role of Hamlet in this bold, contemporary reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy.
Joining Abeysekera in the cast are 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 Papadopolous (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.
Hamlet will run in the Lyttelton Theatre from 25 September to 22 November 2025, with a press night on Thursday 2 October. The production will also be broadcast to cinemas via National Theatre Live from 22 January 2026.
“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.”
Assisted performances include captioned, audio described, BSL interpreted, and relaxed performances throughout October and November. Full details are available via the National Theatre website.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
