In a groundbreaking theatrical fusion, Radiohead’s influential album, Hail to the Thief, will be brought to life in a new production titled Hamlet Hail to the Thief next spring. This innovative adaptation, conceived by Thom Yorke, unites William Shakespeare’s iconic text with reimagined songs from the album, performed by a dynamic cast of 20 musicians and actors.
Directed by Steven Hoggett, with creative collaborations from Christine Jones and Justin Levine, Hamlet Hail to the Thief promises to blend movement, theater, and music into a unique reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s classic. The production reimagines Elsinore as a dystopian surveillance state, reflecting themes of paranoia and corruption that resonate deeply within the narrative of Prince Hamlet and Ophelia.
“This is an intriguing and formidable challenge!” said Yorke, reflecting on the project. “By adapting the original music of Hail to The Thief for a live performance that intertwines with the unfolding story, we aim to explore the shared emotional landscape of grief and paranoia that permeates Hamlet. The music acts as a haunting presence, echoing the action and dialogue on stage.”
Jones expressed her enthusiasm for the project, recalling how the Hail to the Thief tour profoundly impacted her. “This production is a culmination of years of pondering the connections between Radiohead’s themes and Shakespeare’s work. The eerie parallels between the album’s lyrics and Hamlet‘s narrative reveal a powerful dialogue about despair and the examination of power structures.”
