Hamlet
The Bard's classic tragedy comes to the West End!
Why see Hamlet?
James Norton Stars In The Bard's Classic
Award-winning actor James Norton (A Little Life, Happy Valley) returns to the London stage to play the Prince of Denmark in a major new revival of Shakespeare's Hamlet, directed by internationally acclaimed Thomas Ostermeier (The Seagull, An Enemy of the People). Opening in the West End in autumn 2027, this highly anticipated production marks Ostermeier's first time directing Shakespeare in English!
What is the story?
After learning of his father's death, Prince Hamlet is disgusted to discover his uncle has married his mother and installed himself on the Danish throne. After being visited by the ghost of the old king, Hamlet sets out to regain his rightful place and avenge his father's murder.
Packed full of political intrigue, violence, philosophy and self-discovery, Hamlet is the king of the English language and literary canon, as well as showing the full breadth and depth of Shakespeare's genius.
Cast
- James Norton as Hamlet
Please note: The producers can't guarantee the appearance of any performers on any specific date.
Creative
- Directed by Thomas Ostermeier
- Written by William Shakespeare
Reviews
Customer reviews
KPC
Amazing and intense compression
A taut, tense and engrossing production with outstanding performances from all of the six cast members. Mark Arends is captivating as Hamlet and plays the role eloquently, finding new meaning
and emphasis in the lines . This is high energy, high emotion, physical expressionist theatre of a high order. The intensity always threatens to snap, but it is cleverly paced and contained. There are
some unexpected twists, eg , Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are subsumed into Laertes, and the 'play within the play', is given a completely new life.In the intimate space of Trafalgar Studio 2 the
audience is pulled into this storm twister of grief, poisoned loves, blood and psychosis. High risk, high octane theatre at its incendiary best, this is Hamlet stripped bare to its internal core. Serious
business. ... Read more
Anonymous
Under-powered cast put pressure on His Cumberbatchness
It is disconcerting seeing a Shakespearean drama in the Barbican, where, after all the 'no phones/photos' announcements and signs go out, a high-tech safety curtain opens to reveal an ernormous stage with a fantastic set, ceiling and all.
But I was mystified by the costume choices - somewhere between period/comtemporary/billy-the-butler blue coats and a world war II type warm room chic. Somewhere in there were some great ideas that just got lost.
And then there was the man of the moment - excellent all round I would say - but you could feel that he had to player striker, centre half, winger and goalkeeper for the team to keep it all moving.
Perhaps it was the cavaernous space on stage or just that all eyes were on Hamlet throughout, but it didn't feel like the rest of the cast stepped up to make this the oustanding performance it deserves to be. Shame.
On the plus side the audience were incredibly well behaved - not a phone or camera to be seen! More please! ... Read more
londoner
Pretty good
Some outstanding roles, but Hamlet was a bit too much of a pussy
and lacked conviction regarding his treatment of Ophelia. That
said, this is a tight production well delivered. ... Read more
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