Hamlet, Hail to the Thief: Shakespeare, Radiohead. RSC @ RST, Stratford Upon AvonRuns: 1h 40m, no interval, until 28 June, 5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: Roderick Dungate.

Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan.

Hamlet, Hail to the Thief: Shakespeare, Radiohead

RSC @ RST, Stratford Upon Avon

Runs: 1h 40m, no interval, till XXX

Review: AD Performance 14 June 2025, Roderick  Dungate

5☆☆☆☆☆.

“Fabulously Exciting.”

Christine Jones had a wild idea contemplating parallels between Radiohead’s concept album and Shakespeare’s Hamlet – desire for power at the top of states, potential corruption, potential fresh starts. From this stemmed a totally engrossing and thrilling vision, now made real.

The combination of the music and text as equal partners raises Hamlet to an almost operatic level. Significand blocks of text appear as arias, duets, quartets. Spaces between these text elements are filled with music and the narrative carried with heightened movement/dance. These elements are not merely juxtaposed but flow with their own rhythm into and out of each other.

The text elements are played with greater flexibility than might be tried in a conventional production; there is a feeling that the text is set free. This might be in well-known passages such as ‘To be or not to be …’ or in Polonius’s comedic moments.

It’s marvellous to see, as well, the dance elements; disciplined freedom is the mark here. Each character has movement appropriate to their age, status and character. They echo their dance movements in their acting. In this way there is a satisfying sense of unity. This sense is further strengthened as Characters incorporate sound  amplifiers into their world as platforms, enriching the stage picture.

And to top it all, every performer handles their text with consummate ease and clarity. This is a strong company. Hamlet (Samuel Blenkin) draws us into his turmoil with skill. Ami Tredea creates a beautiful, powerful Ophelia (will we get chance to see her in  full Hamlet soon?)

A great concept from Christine Jones. And also her co-director, Steven Hoggett.  They orchestrate with a firm hand and theatricality; the build to and execution of the final climactic  fight is breath-taking. A most bold and special production.

Cast
Horatio - Alby Baldwin
Hamlet - Samuel Blenkin
Rosencrantz - James Cooney

Laertes - Brandon Grace
Gertrude - Claudia Harrison
Claudius - Paul Hilton
Guildenstern - Felipe Pacheco
Polonius - Tom Peters
Ophelia - Ami Tredrea 

Gravedigger/player Queen/Bernarda - Omaha Weaver

Creatives

Directors Steven Hoggett and Christine Jones

Music by Radiohead

Orchestrations by Thome Yorke