HAMLET HAIL TO THE THIEF to have London premiere at the Barbican

Shehrazade Zafar-Arif 11 June, 2026, 08:39

The Royal Shakespeare Company and Factory International production of Hamlet Hail to the Thief, described as Shakespeare meets Radiohead, will have its London premiere at the Barbican Theatre this autumn following sold out runs at the Royal Shakespeare Company and Aviva Studios.

Artwork of Hamlet Hail to the Thief Artwork provided by production

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. This fast-paced distillation of the play combines theatre, music and movement.

Widely considered Shakespeare's greatest tragedy, Hamlet follows the titular Prince of Denmark as he's charged with revenge against his uncle by the ghost of his murdered father. Hail to the Thief (2003) is Radiohead’s sixth studio album with singles including ‘There There’, ‘2+2=5’ and ‘Go to Sleep’. Recorded as a response to the War on Terror, the album is packed with dystopian themes that incorporate lyrics inspired by George Orwell and theatrical, Brothers Grimm style fables.

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. Further casting to be announced.