FULL CAST JOINS HIRAN ABEYSEKERA IN REHEARSALS FOR HAMLET
ROBERT HASTIE’S FIRST SHOW AS DEPUTY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL THEATRE
Full casting for National Theatre Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie’s (Standing at the Sky’s Edge) sharp, stylish and darkly funny reimagining of Hamlet is unveiled today as rehearsals begin on the South Bank. As previously announced, Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) will make his highly anticipated return to the National Theatre to play the famed eponymous role in this fearless, contemporary take on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. Hamlet will run in the Lyttelton theatre from 25 September to 22 November 2025. It will also be broadcast to cinemas through National Theatre Live from 22 January 2026.
Joining Abeysekera in the cast will be Joe Bolland (Guildenstern), Phil Cheadle (Marcellus), Ayesha Dharker (Gertrude), Ryan Ellsworth (Ghost), Tom Glenister (Laertes), Mary Higgins (Osric), Liz Jadav (Nurse), Kiren Kebaili-Dwyer (Fortinbras), Hari Mackinnon (Rosencrantz), Francesca Mills (Ophelia), Sophia Papadopolous (Cornelius), Alistair Petrie (Claudius), Siobhán Redmond (First Player), Seb Slade (Francisco), Geoffrey Streatfeild (Polonius), Noel White (Bernardo) and Tessa Wong (Horatio).
Director Rob Hastie is joined in the creative team by set and costume designer Ben Stones, lighting designer Jessica Hung Han Yun, sound designer Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, composer Richard Taylor, movement director Ira Mandela Siobhan, fight director Kate Waters, casting directors Alastair Coomer CDG and Martin Poile CDG and associate director Georgie Staight.
The play’s the thing.
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Are you watching closely?
Trapped between duty and doubt, surrounded by power and privilege, young Prince Hamlet dares to ask the ultimate question – you know the one.
Hamlet will play in the Lyttelton theatre from 25 September to 22 November, with a press night on Thursday 2 October. Audiences can find their nearest cinema screening at hamlet.ntlive.com