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Thom Yorke, Christine Jones and Steven Hoggett’s genre-bending fusion of Shakespeare and Radiohead, Hamlet Hail to the Thief, has announced its full cast and band ahead of its London premiere at the Barbican Theatre. The production transfers following a run at RSC’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in June 2025.

Radiohead meets Shakespeare in the exciting new West End production of Hamlet Hail to the Thief, coming to the Barbican Theatre this October. The full cast and band have now been announced for the show ahead of its London premiere. As previously announced, Samuel Blenkin (Alien: Earth) reprises his role as Hamlet, alongside a cast that includes Ami Tredrea, Paul Hilton, Claudia Harrison, Alby Baldwin and more. It’s also been confirmed that the full original band will also return.

Find out more about Hamlet Hail to the Thief

A radical reimagining of Hamlet

Created by Thom Yorke, Christine Jones and Steven Hoggett, Hamlet Hail to the Thief is a fast-paced distillation of Shakespeare’s tragedy, illuminated by Radiohead’s celebrated 2003 album Hail to the Thief. The album has been reworked by Yorke and performed live onstage by the cast of musicians and actors. The Shakespearean tragedy shifts its focus to centre on Hamlet and Ophelia as they awaken to the lies and corruption infecting their war-like state, fusing theatre, music and movement as ghosts reveal hurling truths and music speaks louder than words.

Hail to the Thief, Radiohead’s sixth studio album, was recorded in the wake of the September 11 attacks and the subsequent “War on Terror,” and is known for its dystopian, Orwell-inspired themes and Brothers Grimm-style fables. Inspired by preparation for this production, Radiohead released Hail to the Thief – Live Recordings last September.

The cast and creative team

The full cast has been announced for the upcoming London premiere, including:

  • Samuel Blenkin as Hamlet
  • Ami Tredrea as Ophelia
  • Paul Hilton as Claudius / Ghost
  • Claudia Harrison as Gertrude
  • Nicolas Tennant as Polonius
  • Alby Baldwin as Horatio
  • Brandon Grace as Laertes
  • Miles Barrow as Rosencrantz / understudy Hamlet
  • Felipe Pacheco as Guildenstern
  • Merryl Ansah as Gravedigger / understudy Gertrude
  • Romaya Weaver as Barnarda / Player Queen / understudy Ophelia
  • Marienella Phillips as understudy for Rosencrantz, Barnarda / Player Queen, and Gravedigger
  • Halim Diwani as understudy for Laertes, Horatio and Guildenstern (professional stage debut)
  • Gavin James as understudy for Claudius and Polonius

The full original band returns for the London 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), joined by two additional cover singers, Emilio Moreno Arias and Josephina Ortiz Lewis.

Hamlet Hail to the Thief is directed by Olivier Award winner Steven Hoggett (Once, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time) and Tony and Olivier Award winner Christine Jones (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, American Idiot) with orchestrations by Thom Yorke, scenography by AMP featuring Sadra Tehrani, choreography by Jess Williams, sound design by Gareth Fry, and lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun.

Plan your visit

  • Theatre: Barbican Theatre
  • Booking dates: 31 October 2026 until 23 January 2027
  • Running time: 1 hour 50 minutes (no interval)
  • Age recommendation: 14+

Hamlet Hail to the Thief

Barbican Theatre, London

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Hamlet Hail to the Thief
Main photo: The cast of Hamlet Hail to the Thief. First line L-R: Samuel Blenkin, Ami Tredrea, Merryl Ansah, Alby Baldwin, Miles Barrow, Halim Diwani, and Brandon Grace. Second line L-R: Claudia Harrison, Paul Hilton, Gavin James, Felipe Pacheco, Marienella Phillips, Nicolas Tennant, and Romaya Weaver.

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