Hamlet: Hail to the Thief wraps acclaimed world premiere run at Aviva Studios

The production now heads to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, bringing its bold fusion of Shakespeare and Radiohead to Stratford-upon-Avon this June.

Date published: 20th May 2025

The world premiere of Hamlet: Hail to the Thief has wrapped its debut run at Manchester's Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, following its final performance on Sunday, 18th May.

Described as a "feverish new live experience," this fast-paced distillation of the play fuses Shakespeare's Hamlet with Radiohead's 2003 album Hail to the Thief in a dynamic new version. One that illuminates both in thrilling new ways, with the music becoming a critical part of the narrative.

Co-produced by Factory International, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and ATC Experience, Hamlet: Hail to the Thief was adapted and directed by Christine Jones and Steven Hoggett, featuring personally reworked orchestrations by Thom Yorke, with both performed live onstage by a cast of 20 musicians and actors.

Image: Hamlet Hail to the Thief (Photo by Manuel Harlan)

"Elsinore has a new ruler and hectic runs in the blood of its citizens. Hamlet Hail To The Thief centres on Hamlet and Ophelia’s awakening to the lies and corruption in Denmark, gradually revealed by ghosts and music. Paranoia reigns and no one is spared a tragic unravelling."

Led by Samuel Blenkin as Hamlet and Ami Tredrea as Ophelia, the cast delivered a visceral new interpretation of the Shakespearean tragedy. Songs like "There There" and "2+2=5" became critical parts of the narrative, their eerie, dystopian tones reflecting the political disillusionment that mirrors the play's themes.

The visual production is equally striking. Set design by AMP featuring Sadra Tehrani, lighting by Jessica Hung Han Yun, and projection design by Will Duke together built a disorienting, ghost-lit Elsinore. The choreography by Jess Williams and sound design by Gareth Fry further transformed the space into something truly immersive and engrossing.

With the opening run at Aviva Studios now over, the production moves to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon for performances from 4th to 28th June, leaving Manchester with a fervent buzz as one of the most daring and sonically ambitious reinterpretations of the play to date.

For more information on and tickets for the upcoming dates, visit factoryinternational.org and rsc.org.uk.

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Header Image: (Front of shot) Romaya Weaver and James Cooney and the cast of Hamlet Hail to the Thief (Photo by Manuel Harlan)