Shakespeare meets Radiohead as Hamlet Hail to the Thief comes to London

Following an acclaimed world premiere at Aviva Studios home of Factory International and the Royal Shakespeare Company last year, where it captivated sold out houses, Hamlet Hail to the Thief will have its London premiere at the Barbican Theatre from 31 October 2026 to 23 January 2027.  Shakespeare’s great tragedy collides with Radiohead’s 2003 album in this frenetic production co-created by Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, and directors, Steven Hoggett and Christine Jones. 

In this fast-paced distillation of the play, Shakespeare’s words and Radiohead’s songs illuminate one another in thrilling new ways that fuse theatre, music and movement.   Personally reworked by Yorke, the deconstructed album is performed live onstage by a cast of musicians and actors.

Thom Yorke said “I’m into finally bringing ‘Hamlet Hail to the Thief’ to London, and to the Barbican of all places!  It is fascinating and very strange to me how this came to life and how it has worked. When it revealed itself to us over time I was shocked, having never had this kind of experience before.  I am happy for it to be seen by a wider audience in such an intense space.”

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; Princess Anne in 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.

Olivier award-winner Steven Hoggett recently collaborated with David Byrne as choreographer on Who is the Sky.  His extensive choreography credits include Nye, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and Black Watch, and he was a founding member of Frantic Assembly. Tony and Olivier award-winner Christine Jones is Creator and Artistic Director of the acclaimed Theatre For One (most recently performed at the Barbican in March 2026), and Co-Creator along with Hoggett and David Byrne of Social Distance Dance Club, the post-pandemic immersive dance experience at the Park Avenue Armory. Steven and Christine’s projects together as choreographer and designer respectively include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, American Idiot and Let the Right One In.

Elsinore has a new ruler, and the air bites. ‘Hamlet Hail to the Thief’ centres on Hamlet and Ophelia’s awakening to the lies and corruption infecting their war-like state.  In this witching hour, when ghosts reveal wild and hurling truths, hectic pulses through the blood of its citizens. When minds and hearts are overthrown, music speaks loudly. 

Hail to the Thief  (2003) is Radiohead’s sixth studio album with singles including ‘There There’, ‘2+2=5’ and ‘Go to Sleep’. Recorded in the wake of the September 11 attacks and the subsequent ‘War On Terror’, the album underscores a period of paranoia, fear and anxiety, with dystopian themes incorporating Orwell inspired lyrics and theatrical, Brothers Grimm style fables. Inspired by Thom’s preparation work for Hamlet Hail to the Thief, Radiohead released ‘Hail To The Thief – Live Recordings’ last September, revisiting archived tracks from across live shows from 2003 to 2009.

Hamlet Hail to the Thief rounds out the Barbican's autumn/winter theatre and dance season, which includes exceptional international work from some of the most highly regarded names in theatre, dance and literature, and was announced on Tuesday.

Tickets for the Barbican Theatre go on sale to the public at 10am on Friday 26 June at www.hamlethailtothethief.com