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Hamlet

by William Shakespeare
reimagined for young audiences by Jude Christian

Hamlet - a figure wearing a white sheet with black circles for eyes, like a ghost, and a gold crown.

Booking and details

20 — 28 March 2023
This show has now ended
The event location is

Dorfman Theatre

National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX

Performance times at 11am and 1.30pm

‘To be or not to be…’

Hamlet’s dad is dead. His uncle has taken over the kingdom and married Hamlet’s mum. The whole world feels like it’s turned upside down.

A ghostly encounter reveals a dreadful deed has been done. Should Hamlet take revenge?

‘That is the question.’

Join us for this energetic and engaging retelling of Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedy. Suitable for ages 8 – 12.

Performed 20 — 28 March 2023 in the Dorfman Theatre.

Reviews for the 2022 production

★★★★

‘Sharper, spookier storytelling than many a full-fat, four-hour version.’

Financial Times

★★★★

‘Can Shakespeare’s knottiest play work in an hour? Yes.’

The Times

★★★★★

‘Hugely entertaining for kids and adults alike.’

Reviews Hub

Video

A swordfight between two people, on stage in a primary school hall from the Hamlet schools touring production.
Play Video

Watch the trailer

 

Galleries

Cast

Curtis Callier
A photo portrait of Curtis Callier

Curtis Callier

Guildenstern

Adam Clifford
Adam Clifford photo portrait

Adam Clifford

Polonius

Simeon Desvignes
Simeon Desvignes-Escott photo portrait

Simeon Desvignes

Hamlet

Ashley Gerlach
Ashley Gerlach photo portrait

Ashley Gerlach

Claudius

Kathrine Payne
Katherine Payne photo portrait

Kathrine Payne

Rosencrantz

Claire Redcliffe
Claire Redcliffe photo portrait

Claire Redcliffe

Gertrude

Annabelle Terry
Annabelle Terry photo portrait

Annabelle Terry

Laertes

Monique Walker
Monique Walker photo portrait

Monique Walker

Ophelia

 

Production team

Tinuke Craig

Tinuke Craig

Original Director

Ellie Hurt

Ellie Hurt

Director

Jude Christian

Jude Christian

Adaptor

Frankie Bradshaw

Frankie Bradshaw

Designer

Paul Knott

Paul Knott

Lighting Designer

Dom Coyote

Dom Coyote

Composer and Musical Director and Sound Designer

Clark Henry-Brown

Sound Designer

Jeremy Barlow

Jeremy Barlow

Fight Director

Shane Dempsey

Shane Dempsey

Movement Director

Chloe Blake

Chloe Blake

Casting

Naomi Downham

Naomi Downham

Casting

Mandeep Kaur Glover

Mandeep Kaur Glover

Associate Director

 

Supporters

The Mohn Westlake Foundation supports nationwide Learning programmes for young people.

The Hearn Foundation is the Principal Funder of the Primary Schools Programme.

Primary Schools Touring is supported by The Mohn Westlake Foundation, The Constance Travis Charitable Trust, The Ingram Trust, The Dorset Foundation – in memory of Harry M Weinrebe, Archie Sherman Charitable Trust, Susan Miller and Byron Grote, The Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust The Anthony and Elizabeth Mellows Charitable Settlement, The Topinambour Trust and The Royal Victoria Hall Foundation.

Nationwide learning is supported by Buffini Chao Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Clore Duffield Foundation, Tim and Sarah Bunting, Behrens Foundation, Cleopatra Trust and Milton Grundy Foundation.

 

 

Show image photography by Gavin Li