A radical new stage show is set to premiere, combining the timeless tragedy of Shakespeare’s Hamlet with Radiohead’s 2003 album Hail to the Thief.
Directed by Christine Jones, this innovative production aims to fuse the powerful themes of both works, creating a unique theatrical experience.
A Unique Theatrical Fusion
William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is to be combined with Radiohead’s album Hail to the Thief for an unusual new stage show. Hamlet Hail to the Thief was the brainchild of theatre director Christine Jones, who came up with the idea after noticing the play and album shared similar themes of moral corruption, decay, and dysfunctional government.
World Premiere in Manchester
The show will receive its world premiere in Manchester in April before transferring to Stratford-Upon-Avon in June. Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, who is re-working the 2003 album for the show, described the project as an ‘interesting and intimidating challenge’.
Jones said the idea occurred to her shortly after the album’s release, while listening to it and reading the play at the same time.
Reworking the Album for the Stage
‘Paying attention to the lyrics, I became aware of how many songs from Hail to the Thief speak to the themes of the play,’ she said.
Producers said the ‘dynamic and frenetic’ new version of Hamlet will see Shakespeare’s words ‘illuminated’ by the British band’s music.
Hail to the Thief will be deconstructed and re-worked by Yorke and performed live by a cast of around 20 musicians and actors.
Show Schedule and Locations
It will play for three weeks at Manchester’s Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, from 27 April 2025.
The show will then transfer to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon, where it will play from 4-28 June.
In a statement, Yorke said: ‘Adapting the original music of Hail to the Thief for live performance with the actors on stage to tell this story that is forever being told… seeing what chimes with the underlying grief and paranoia of Hamlet.’
Production Team and Creative Vision
The original Hamlet has been adapted for the new production by Jones alongside Steven Hoggett. The pair will also direct. Organisers said the ‘fast-paced distillation’ of the play would see Radiohead’s music become a critical part of the narrative.
Hail to the Thief was Radiohead’s sixth studio album and featured the singles There There, Go To Sleep and 2+2=5.
Background of the Album and Play
Recorded in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York, the album reflected a period of fear and political turmoil. A rock album at its core, Hail to The Thief was also somewhat experimental, exploring dystopian themes with Orwell-inspired lyrics.
Christine Jones mentioned the first time she saw Radiohead live was on the Hail to The Thief tour in 2003. ‘Not long after, I was reading Hamlet and listening to the album. Paying attention to the lyrics, I became aware of how many songs from Hail to the Thief speak to the themes of the play.’
She shared the idea with Thom Yorke, who was intrigued by the conceptual overlap.
Thematic Resonance and Future Outlook
Jones added: ‘We’ve found that the play haunts the album, and the album haunts the play. Both reflect the internal disquiet and rage that result from despair… arising from scrutiny of dominant power structures – whether within governments, communities, or families.’
Set in Elsinore, which has become a surveillance state, the play centres on Hamlet and Ophelia’s awakening to the lies in Denmark, gradually revealed by ghosts and music. Organisers said the cast would be announced in the coming months.
This innovative project promises to be a groundbreaking fusion of classical theatre and modern music, offering a fresh perspective on both works.
The anticipation surrounding Hamlet Hail to the Thief is a testament to the enduring relevance of Shakespeare and the powerful modern commentary of Radiohead.
