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Hamlet Tickets

National Theatre - Lyttelton

Opens 25th September

Olivier winner Hiran Abeysekera takes on the iconic role in this fearless new production of Shakespeare’s tragedy about grief and revenge.

Tickets for Hamlet On Sale Now!

The play’s the thing as Hamlet comes to the National Theatre’s Lyttelton stage. Starring Olivier winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi), this bold new production puts a contemporary spin on Shakespeare’s tragedy about grief, death and vengeance. Something may be rotten in the state of Denmark, but this is a fresh, funny new revival of the classic play - secure your tickets today!

What is the Shakespeare play Hamlet about?

When Hamlet’s father unexpectedly dies, and his mother remarries his uncle, the prince is brought home from university to mourn. But all is not well back home, and Hamlet soon begins to suspect his power-hungry uncle may be responsible for his father’s death. Haunted by his grief, both literally and figuratively, Hamlet is torn between his duty and his doubt. As he prepares to enact his revenge, Hamlet’s mind seemingly begins to unravel, and events take an unexpectedly tragic turn…

Widely considered one of the greatest plays of all time, Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s best-known and most-performed tragedies. A hugely influential work, Hamlet was written some time between 1599 and 1601, and has since enjoyed countless revivals and adaptations, including an Oscar-winning 1948 film adaptation starring Laurence Olivier, which remains to this day the only Shakespeare adaptation to have won an Academy Award.

Hiran Abeysekera is in excellent company as the titular role has been performed by a number of legendary actors over the years, including Olivier, Richard Burton, Sir Ian McKellen and Sarah Bernhardt, with contemporary productions starring actors such as David Tennant, Tom Hiddleston, Paapa Essiedu and Michelle Terry in the role.

This fearless new production is a sharp, stylish take on the classic tragedy that is unafraid to ask the big questions - you know the ones.

Who are the cast of Hamlet?

Hiran Abeysekera stars as Hamlet. Abeysekera is an Olivier Award-winning Sri Lankan actor, best known for starring as Pi Patel in Lolita Chakrabarti's highly acclaimed stage adaptation of The Life of Pi, a role he reprised on Broadway earning both Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations. His other credits include Tartuffe, Botticelli in the Fire, Russell T Davies' television adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream and Behind the Beautiful Forevers.

Joining Abeysekera are Alistair Petrie (Sex Education, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Sherlock) as Claudius, Francesca Mills (Harlots, The Witcher: Blood Origin, All of Us) as Ophelia and Ayesha Dharker (The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage, Doctor Who, Vera) as Gertrude.

The cast includes Geoffrey Streatfeild (The History Boys, The Other Boleyn Girl) as Polonius, Tom Glenister (Sherwood, Dear England) as Laertes, Hari Mackinnon (Staged, The Comedy of Errors) as Rosencrantz, Siobhán Redmond (Two Doors Down, Dunsinane) as First Player and Phil Cheadle (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Harlots) as Marcellus.

Who are the creative team of Hamlet?

Hamlet is directed by Robert Hastie. Hastie is an Olivier Award-winning director and current Artistic Director of the Sheffield Crucible Theatre. His credits include Much Ado About Nothing at Sheffield Theatres, Standing at the Sky's Edge for the National Theatre and West End, Macbeth for Shakespeare’s Globe, Operation Mincemeat at the West End’s Fortune Theatre and My Night with Reg for the Donmar Warehouse.

Book Tickets for Hamlet at the National Theatre

To book or not to book? That is the question… and we think we know the answer! Missing this vibrant, incisive and darkly funny take on Shakespeare’s beloved play would be a real tragedy, so be sure to catch one of the UK's hottest rising theatrical stars in this iconic role. Book your tickets for Hamlet at the National Theatre today!

Performance dates:
25 Sep 2025 - 22 Nov 2025
Age recommendation:
TBC
Audience Notes:

Please note this production contains themes of grief and death, including suicide and the loss of a parent, depictions of madness, violence, and coercive behaviour.

Categories:

Show Times

MatineeEvening
Monday-7.15pm
Tuesday-7.15pm
Wednesday1.30pm7.15pm
Thursday-7.15pm
Friday-7.15pm
Saturday1.30pm7.15pm
Sunday--
Matinee Shows
Performances start at 1.30pm.
Evening Shows
Performances start at 7.15pm.
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