Hamlet Hail to the Thief It will be a revolutionary play.
Thom Yorkevocalist of the British band Radioheadhas taken a bold step by adapting his album Hail to the Thief (2003) for a new theater production of Hamlet. Under the title Hamlet Hail to the Thief, The work will debut in the Aviva Studios in Manchester, England, from April 27 to May 18, 2025, before moving to the Royal Shakespeare Theater in Stratford Upon Avon.
york has reworked and orchestrated the album for a cast of 20 musicians and actors, highlighting the emotional connection between the lyrics of Hail to the Thief and the themes of corruption and desperation present in Hamlet. “It's an interesting and intimidating challenge,” commented the musician. “The music will serve as a ‘presence’ in the room, interacting with the action and text of the play.”
See this post on Instagram
The director Christine Joneswho was deeply impacted by the tour of Hail to the Thief in 2003, shared the vision that led to this collaboration. According to Jonesthe album and the work “collide” in fascinating ways, reflecting the internal struggles and scrutiny of power structures. The collaboration promises to be an innovative experience, where music and theater intertwine to explore the desperation and paranoia that dominate both the text of Shakespeare like the letters of Radiohead.
