Exclusive: First pics of Hamlet Hail to the Thief at the Barbican

Hamlet Hail to the Thief is one of the most highly anticipated shows of the year - it runs at the Barbican until 23 January next year and new production photography by Manuel Harlan can now be unveiled.

Following its world premiere in Manchester at Aviva Studios home of Factory International and the Royal Shakespeare Company last year, the creative team behind it - Thom Yorke, Christine Jones and Steven Hoggett - have brought it to London. The show is a dynamic new version of Hamlet where Shakespeare’s words are illuminated by Radiohead’s most satirical album Hail to the Thief. The music has been re-worked by Yorke and performed live by a cast of musicians and actors.

Alien:Earth star Samuel Blenkin plays Hamlet, alongside Ami Tredrea as Ophelia, Paul Hilton as Claudius/ Ghost, Claudia Harrison as Gertrude, Alby Baldwin as Horatio.

Hamlet Hail to the Thief centres on Hamlet and Ophelia’s awakening to the lies and corruption infecting their war-like state. In this witching hour, when ghosts reveal wild and hurling truths, hectic pulses through the blood of its citizens. When minds and hearts are overthrown, music speaks loudly. Hail to the Thief (2003) is Radiohead’s sixth studio album with singles including ‘There There’, ‘2+2=5’ and ‘Go to Sleep’. Recorded in the wake of the September 11 attacks and the subsequent ‘War On Terror’, the album underscores a period of paranoia, fear and anxiety, with dystopian themes incorporating Orwell inspired lyrics and theatrical, Brothers Grimm style fables. Inspired by Thom’s preparation work for Hamlet Hail to the Thief, Radiohead released ‘Hail To The Thief – Live Recordings’ last September, revisiting archived tracks from across live shows from 2003 to 2009.

Here are the exclusive photos:

The company of Hamlet Hail to the Thief at Barbican Theatre.

Manuel Harlan

L-R Samuel Blenkin (Hamlet) & Alby Baldwin (Horatio) in Hamlet Hail to the Thief at Barbican Theatre

Manuel Harlan

L-R Paul Hilton (Claudius) & Claudia Harrison (Gertrude) in Hamlet Hail to the Thief at Barbican Theatre.

Manuel Harlan

L-R Samuel Blenkin (Hamlet) & Alby Baldwin (Horatio) in Hamlet Hail to the Thief at Barbican Theatre

Manuel Harlan

L-R Nicolas Tennant (Polonius) & Ami Tredrea (Ophelia) in Hamlet Hail to the Thief at Barbican Theatre

Manuel Harlan

Samuel Blenkin (Hamlet) in Hamlet Hail to the Thief at Barbican Theatre