Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke is bringing Hamlet Hail to the Thief to the Barbican Theatre, which will have its London premiere this October.
Shakespeare’s tragedy collides with Radiohead’s 2003 album in a frenetic production co-created by Yorke and directors Steven Hoggett and Christine Jones.
In this fast-paced distillation of the play, Shakespeare’s words and Radiohead’s songs illuminate one another in thrilling new ways that fuse theatre, music and movement. Personally reworked by Yorke, the deconstructed album is performed live onstage by a cast of musicians and actors.
Elsinore has a new ruler, and the air bites. ‘Hamlet Hail to the Thief’ centres on Hamlet and Ophelia’s awakening to the lies and corruption infecting their war-like state. In this witching hour, when ghosts reveal wild and hurling truths, hectic pulses through the blood of its citizens. When minds and hearts are overthrown, music speaks loudly.
Samuel Blenkin reprises his role as Hamlet, alongside Ami Tredrea as Ophelia. Paul Hilton returns as Claudius/ Ghost, opposite Claudia Harrison as Gertrude.
The returning cast also includes Alby Baldwin as Horatio, Brandon Grace as Laertes, Felipe Pacheco as Guildenstern, Romaya Weaver as Barnarda/Player Queen and Marienella Phillips as Offstage Swing. Further casting to be announced.
Hail to the Thief is Radiohead’s sixth studio album, released in 2003, with singles including There There, 2+2=5 and Go to Sleep. Recorded in the wake of the September 11 attacks and the subsequent War On Terror, the album underscores a period of paranoia, fear and anxiety, with dystopian themes incorporating Orwell inspired lyrics and theatrical, Brothers Grimm style fables. Inspired by Thom’s preparation work for Hamlet Hail to the Thief, Radiohead released Hail To The Thief – Live Recordings last September, revisiting archived tracks from across live shows from 2003 to 2009.
Following its world premiere last year at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International and the Royal Shakespeare Company, Hamlet Hail to the Thief plays Barbican Theatre from October 31, 2026 to January 23, 2027.
Tickets here.
Top image: Hamlet Hail to the Thief original cast (2025) – credit Manuel Harlan (image supplied)