Production images have been released for the world premiere of Hamlet Hail to the Thief, a feverish new live experience fusing theatre, music and movement.
Created by Christine Jones, Steven Hoggett and Thom Yorke, this dynamic adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet is now playing at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, Manchester, until 18 May 2025.
The production will then transfer to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 4 to 28 June 2025.
In this reimagining, Shakespeare’s iconic text is illuminated by Radiohead’s 2003 album Hail to the Thief, reworked by Thom Yorke and performed live by a cast of musicians and actors.
Samuel Blenkin stars as Hamlet, joined by Ami Tredrea as Ophelia, Paul Hilton as Claudius/Ghost, Claudia Harrison as Gertrude, and Alby Baldwin as Horatio.
The cast also includes Brandon Grace, James Cooney, Felipe Pacheco, Tom Peters, Romaya Weaver, Daniel Davids, Kieran Garland and Marienella Phillips.
The live band features Ed Begley, Tom Brady, Jenny Clifford, Joe Downard, Shane Forbes, Megan Hill, Tom Knowles and Adam Martin.
Hamlet Hail to the Thief is adapted by Christine Jones with Steven Hoggett, directed by both, with orchestrations by Thom Yorke and music supervision by Tom Brady.
The creative team also includes scenography by AMP featuring Sadra Tehrani, arrangements by Justin Levine, choreography by Jess Williams, sound design by Gareth Fry, projection design by Will Duke, lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun, and costume design by Lisa Duncan.
Casting is by Charlotte Sutton CDG for the RSC, with dramaturgy and text consultancy from Ayanna Thompson.
“In this fast-paced distillation of the play, Shakespeare’s words and Radiohead’s album illuminate one another in thrilling new ways,” say the creators. “The music becomes a critical part of the narrative.”
Set in a Denmark ruled by paranoia and corruption, Hamlet Hail to the Thief explores the unraveling of Hamlet and Ophelia as they awaken to the lies surrounding them, guided by ghosts and music.
Radiohead’s Hail to the Thief was recorded in the wake of the September 11 attacks and the ‘War on Terror’, blending rock, experimental soundscapes and lullaby-like piano ballads with dystopian themes and Orwellian lyrics.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
