Production photos released for HAMLET HAIL TO THE THIEF

Shehrazade Zafar-Arif 9 November, 2026, 16:09

New production photos have been released for Hamlet Hail to the Thief, now playing at the Barbican Theatre following its critically acclaimed world premiere at Aviva Studios last year.

Samuel-Blenkin (Hamlet) and Ami-Tredrea (Ophelia). Photo by Manuel Harlan

Co-created by Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, and directors Steven Hoggett and Christine Jones, Hail to the Thief is a dynamic new version of Hamlet where Shakespeare's words are illuminated by Radiohead’s celebrated album Hail to the Thief, re-worked by Yorke and performed live by a cast of musicians and actors.

Samuel Blenkin (Alien: Earth, FX; Mickey 17, Warner Bros; Black Mirror, Netflix) reprises his role as Hamlet, alongside Ami Tredrea (The Shitheads, Royal Court; Wendy and Peter Pan, RSC/Barbican) as Ophelia. Paul Hilton (Mass, Donmar Warehouse; Olivier nominated for An Enemy of the People, West End) returns as Claudius/ Ghost, opposite Claudia Harrison (The Line of Beauty, Almeida Theatre; The Crown, Netflix) as Gertrude.

The returning cast also includes Alby Baldwin (The Unbelievers, Royal Court; Tender, Bush Theatre) as Horatio, Brandon Grace (Summerfolk and London Tide, National Theatre) as Laertes, Felipe Pacheco (The Hunger Games, Troubadour Theatre; Metamorphosis, Frantic Assembly) as Guildenstern, Romaya Weaver (A Midsummer Night's Dream, Globe Theatre; The Cabinet Minister, Menier Chocolate Factory) as Barnarda/ Player Queen, and Marienella Phillips (Love's Labour's Lost, RSC; A Christmas Carol, The Lowry) as Offstage Swing.

The full original band returns to the production including Ed Begley (Vocals), Tom Brady (Music Supervisor, Music Director and Keys 2), Jenny Clifford (Guitars), Joe Downard (Bass Guitar), Shane Forbes (Drums), Meg Hill (Vocals), Tom Knowles (Associate Music Supervisor and Keys 1) and Adam Martin (Guitars). They are joined by two additional cover singers Emilio Moreno Arias and Josephina Ortiz Lewis.

Hamlet Hail to the Thief is playing at the Barbican Theatre until 23 January 2027.