Theatre fans and Radiohead followers have the chance to experience a unique take on Shakespeare as Hamlet Hail to the Thief arrives at London’s Barbican Theatre, bringing together the Bard’s famous tragedy and the music of one of Britain’s most influential bands.
The critically acclaimed production is running at the Barbican from Saturday 31 October 2026 until Saturday 23 January 2027, following successful runs in Manchester and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Combining live music, theatre and movement, the show reimagines Hamlet through the songs and atmosphere of Radiohead’s sixth studio album, Hail to the Thief. With tickets starting at £34, there are several ways to book, including discounted options for younger audiences, groups and limited £30 day seats.
Here’s everything you need to know about dates, ticket prices, availability and how to get tickets for Hamlet Hail to the Thief.
How to buy tickets for Hamlet Hail to the Thief
Tickets can be purchased directly through the Barbican’s official website.
To book, visit the Barbican Hamlet Hail to the Thief ticket page, select your preferred performance date and choose from the available seats and ticket prices.
The production uses dynamic pricing, meaning ticket costs can vary depending on the performance date and availability.
Standard tickets start at £34, including a £4 transaction fee.
It is worth checking different performance dates when booking, as prices may vary throughout the run.
Hamlet Hail to the Thief dates and venue
The production is taking place at the Barbican Theatre in London, with performances scheduled between:
- Opening date: Saturday 31 October 2026
- Final performance: Saturday 23 January 2027
- Venue: Barbican Theatre, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS
- Running time: Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, with no interval
- Age guidance: 14+
The Barbican Theatre is located inside the main Barbican building. Visitors should head to Level G and follow the signs to their seating level.
How much are Hamlet Hail to the Thief tickets?
There are several ticket options available, depending on your age, booking requirements and the performance you wish to attend.
Here is a breakdown of the advertised prices:
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard tickets | From £34 |
| Young Barbican (ages 16–29) | £18 |
| Daily Day Seats | £30 |
| Groups of 10 or more | £55 |
| UK school groups | £27.50 |
All tickets are subject to availability and some offers have date and seating restrictions.
Standard tickets: General admission prices start from £34, including the £4 transaction fee. Dynamic pricing applies, so costs can change depending on the performance.
Young Barbican: Audience members aged 16–29 can access £18 tickets through the Young Barbican scheme. Membership is free, and tickets are available from the public booking date, subject to availability.
Group bookings: Groups of 10 or more can access £55 tickets for Monday to Thursday performances. Bookings must be made through the Barbican’s group bookings team at groups@barbican.org.uk.
The group offer is subject to availability and excludes the top two premium price bands. It is also unavailable from 21 December to 3 January and during the week commencing 18 January.
School groups: UK schools can book tickets for £27.50 for Monday and Wednesday performances and Thursday matinees. A minimum booking of 10 tickets is required. Schools can contact groups@barbican.org.uk to arrange a booking.
School discounts are subject to availability and exclude the top three price bands, 21 December to 3 January and the week commencing 18 January.
How to get £30 Hamlet Hail to the Thief day seats
One of the cheapest ways to see the production is through the Barbican’s limited daily allocation of £30 Day Seats.
These tickets are available for every performance, apart from Press Night on 12 November, and are located in the front row of the Stalls.
The Day Seats are released online at 10am each morning and can be booked through the Barbican website.
As numbers are limited, it is worth visiting the ticket page shortly before 10am on the day you want to attend.
These tickets offer a particularly attractive option for anyone hoping to see the production without paying the higher standard ticket prices.
What is Hamlet Hail to the Thief about?
Hamlet Hail to the Thief takes William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy and combines it with the music of Radiohead, creating a theatrical experience that brings together two influential works of art.
The story unfolds in Elsinore, which has been transformed into a surveillance state where paranoia, corruption and deception dominate everyday life.
Hamlet and Ophelia find themselves surrounded by lies and political corruption, with ghosts and music helping to expose the truth as events move towards a tragic conclusion.
Rather than simply using Radiohead’s songs as a soundtrack, the production incorporates music into the storytelling itself. The result is a fast-paced reworking of Shakespeare’s play, with live musicians performing a specially adapted score.
The production has been co-created by Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke and acclaimed theatre directors Christine Jones and Steven Hoggett. Yorke has reworked the band’s sixth album, Hail to the Thief, into a deconstructed musical score designed to illuminate Shakespeare’s text.
Importantly, Radiohead will not be performing at the show. The album has been reworked by Yorke and is performed live on stage by a cast of musicians and actors.
Who stars in Hamlet Hail to the Thief?
The production features Samuel Blenkin as Hamlet and Ami Tredrea as Ophelia.
The wider cast includes:
- Paul Hilton as Claudius/Ghost
- Claudia Harrison as Gertrude
- Alby Baldwin as Horatio
- Brandon Grace as Laertes
- Nicolas Tennant as Polonius
The creative team includes directors Christine Jones and Steven Hoggett, with Thom Yorke responsible for the orchestrations.
The production is presented by ATC Music Group, Vivek J. Tiwary for TEG+ and Nate Koch, in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Factory International.
Accessible performances and ticket options
The Barbican is also offering several accessible performances during the run:
- Saturday 28 November, 2.30pm: Captioned performance.
- Saturday 12 December, 2.30pm: Audio-described performance, with a touch tour at 2pm.
- Saturday 16 January, 2.30pm: Chilled performance.
Wheelchair spaces are available, with companion seating. Visitors who require an essential companion ticket must join the Barbican’s access scheme before booking. Once registered, eligible companion tickets can be booked online, with one ticket automatically discounted to zero at checkout. Barbican
Barbican Members and Members Plus also receive priority booking, although there is no additional members’ discount for this production. Members benefit from no booking fee.
Is Hamlet Hail to the Thief suitable for children?
The production carries an age guidance of 14+ and includes some mature themes and potentially challenging stage effects.
The Barbican warns that the performance contains scenes involving death, grief, violence and suicide, alongside loud music, flashing lights including strobe effects, haze, stage blood, cigarette smoking and strong language.
The show runs for approximately 100 minutes without an interval, so audiences should take this into consideration when planning their visit. Barbican
Where is the Barbican Theatre?
Barbican Theatre | Arts | Barbican Centre | All the best venues
The production takes place at:
Barbican Theatre
Barbican Centre
Silk Street
London
EC2Y 8DS
The venue is accessible by tube, train, bus, bicycle and on foot. Further travel information is available through the Barbican’s visitor information page.
How to book Hamlet Hail to the Thief tickets
Tickets on sale
The easiest way to secure seats is through the Barbican’s official booking website.Book Hamlet Hail to the Thief tickets – Barbican official website
With performances continuing until 23 January 2027, audiences have several weeks to experience this unusual meeting of Shakespeare and Radiohead. However, anyone hoping to secure the cheaper £30 Day Seats should remember that these are limited and released online at 10am each morning.
For more information about the production, visit the official Hamlet Hail to the Thief website.
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