RADA launches its new Artist in Residence programme with The Hamlet Project, directed by Sinéad Rushe. This bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic divides the role of Hamlet across three actors, creating a polyphonic exploration of identity and inner conflict.
Nina Bowers, whose credits include As You Like It at Shakespeare’s Globe and Crave at the Barbican, takes on the challenge of playing Hamlet in this innovative production. With live music and a dynamic ensemble, the show promises a fresh perspective on one of theatre’s most iconic characters.
The Hamlet Project runs at RADA from 8 – 13 December 2025. Book tickets here.
You’re starring in The Hamlet Project at RADA, what can you tell us about the show?
The show is Hamlet like you’ve never seen it before. It’s stripped back and unexpected. We’ve used a company devising approach in the rehearsal room to try to come to the play with fresh eyes—a hard thing to do with probably the most iconic play ever written—but the results are really cool. It’s a fantastic experiment.
This production divides the role of Hamlet across three actors. How does that affect your approach to the character?
I really love sharing the role. Freddie and Max are so brilliant, and it’s been great to watch them in rehearsal. We are all so different.
Hamlet is a character with such a wide range of emotion—he’s full of tension and contradiction. Sharing the role allows us to lean into that and embody this multifaceted character in a very playful way.
It also takes the pressure off a role! Less lines to learn! But seriously, I’ve found it very liberating and I’ve learnt so much from Freddie and Max and their inspiring performances.
Sinéad Rushe describes the piece as exploring inner conflict and fragmented voices. How do you embody that concept on stage?
Well, Hamlet as we know asks himself a lot of questions throughout the play that come across in all his famous speeches. Freddie, Max and I share those thoughts and questions between us, so it’s like we’re having the debate that’s going on inside Hamlet’s head as a live argument.
The show features live music by Michael Fox. How does the music influence the atmosphere and your performance?
The music is so beautiful and feels like a core part of the production, and of Hamlet’s character. There’s a part of Hamlet that’s an artist who loves theatre, music and literature, and the music Mike has written really communicates that. It adds such warmth and heart into the show.
You’ve worked on a range of Shakespearean roles before. How does this experience compare to traditional productions?
Sinéad’s process is totally unique from other Shakespeare rehearsal rooms I’ve been in. For one thing, there is a lot of improvisation, which allows the actors to find our version of the story and connect with our instincts.
It’s more like a devising process initially, and then we always go back to the text. It also feels like going back to drama school for me in some ways—I trained with Sinéad—and there’s a rigour and attention to detail with her process that is so refreshing. We are always working with a ‘learning mindset’.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see The Hamlet Project?
Book! The show is fast-paced and really exciting. If you know and love Hamlet, you’re sure to hear it in ways you never have before.
And if you don’t like one of the Hamlets for any reason, there are two others to choose from. Three Hamlets for the price of one—what’s not to love!
