REVIEW - Hamlet: Hail to the Thief tears up the rulebook, plugs in an amp, and delivers Shakespeare’s classic like you’ve never experienced it before

On Wednesday, we were invited to Aviva Studios, Manchester to see Hamlet - Hail To The Thief. Read what our reviewer, Lizzie Johnston thought about this superb production...

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect walking into Hamlet: Hail to the Thief. I knew it was a bold, contemporary reworking of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, but I didn’t realise just how fresh and unexpected this production would be. I was curious to see how they’d manage to strip it back while still keeping the soul of the story. From the moment I entered the space, I had a feeling this was going to be something very different – and it absolutely was.

Hamlet: Hail to the Thief reimagines the story of Prince Hamlet, grieving and furious after the sudden death of his father and the hasty remarriage of his mother to his uncle, Claudius – now king. Still haunted (literally) by his father's murder, Hamlet spirals into obsession and revenge. This version retains the core emotional drive of the original, but condenses the narrative into a streamlined, punchy format that manages to feel both epic and intimate. It doesn’t lose the tragedy, it sharpens it.

This version sees Radiohead’s iconic album as the backbone of the play, weaving in songs, riffs and vocals to heightened emotive and dramatic moments. It’s probably not what you’d expect to see from a Shakespeare play but it works perfectly and felt like a natural fit.

Some standout moments included the eerie opening sequence, which set the tone immediately – a thick, unnerving atmosphere that pulled you right into Elsinore's shadowy world. The soliloquies, especially “To be or not to be”, landed with a quiet power, while the final act played out like a live crescendo – emotional, tragic and totally gripping.

The set design was industrial and stripped-back, with sharp lighting and clever staging. Think rock gig meets haunted theatre. The musicians were visible most of the time, making the band an integral part of the visual language of the show. Props were minimal but effective, and every object used had weight and meaning. The lighting was particularly striking, heightening mood and shifting perspective without overwhelming the action. It was dark, haunting and eerie from the moment the audience arrived. 

Samuel Blenkin (Black Mirror, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child)) led the cast as Hamlet, delivering a performance full of tension and vulnerability. He captured the Prince’s descent into inner chaos with raw emotion and surprising humour. Ami Tredrea (London Tide, The Crucible, My Lady Jane) played Ophelia with an aching fragility, making her final scenes especially haunting. Together, you could see their connection and love for each other. It offered a moment of joy and happiness, which shed so light on the rest of the tragic play. 

Alby Baldwin (Tender and Paradise Now!, Antigone, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) shone as Horatio – grounded, sincere, and the perfect emotional counterweight to Hamlet’s intensity. Paul Hilton (An Enemy of the People, Juno and The Paycock, The Crown) brought a sinister stillness to Claudius and loud confidence, which contrasted nicely with Claudia Harrison’s (The Crown, The IT Crowd, Lucan) confused yet also confident nature. At first, you’d really think they were a powerful couple, but throughout the play you witness their downfall. 

What stood out for me most, though, was the atmosphere. The audience was hooked – silent, alert, and completely engaged throughout. I even spotted some heads nodding when the Radiohead tunes kicked in. Aside from the cast on the stage, you could see the enjoyment of the band getting to play the fantastic rock riffs, which I really loved seeing.

Hamlet – “To be or not to be,” ghostly dads, moody princes, and that iconic skull. But Hamlet: Hail to the Thief tears up the rulebook, plugs in an amp, and delivers Shakespeare’s classic like you’ve never experienced it before. It takes Shakespeare’s words and breathes new life into them with music from Radiohead, movement, and a bold sense of theatricality. Part gig, part ghost story, part psychological meltdown, this bold production at Aviva Studios drags Shakespeare into the 21st century. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or someone who’s never quite ‘got’ Shakespeare, this production is an unforgettable experience. Visceral, haunting and utterly unique.

Hamlet Hail to the Thief is a co-production between the Royal Shakespeare Company and Factory International, running at Aviva Studios Home of Factory International, Manchester until 18 May before transferring to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon from 4 June – 28 June.

WE SCORE HAMLET - HAIL TO THE THIEF...



Hamlet - Hail To The Thief is on at Aviva Studios until Sunday 18th May 2025.


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