National Theatre reimagines Hamlet for young audiences

The National Theatre is producing an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet for audiences aged 8-12. 

The production will be performed in the Dorfman Theatre from 4 - 6 April, as well as tour state schools in Liverpool, Wolverhampton, South Essex and Sunderland from 7 March. 

Adapted by Jude Christian, the production is directed by Tinuke Craig, who said: ‘I’m so thrilled to be revisiting this project - especially after it was cut short by the start of the pandemic in 2020. 

‘Not only do we have the task of creating an engaging production for an audience, but we also have a responsibility to introduce younger audiences to theatre, bringing productions to their home turf to provide an early, and often first, experience of Shakespeare that is welcoming, inclusive, exciting and fun.’

Kiren Kebaili-Dwyer is performing the role of Hamlet, alongside Efé Agwele, David Ahmad, Jessica Alade, Curtis Callier, Claire Redcliffe, Vedi Roy and Chanel Waddock.

Rufus Norris, director of the National Theatre said, ‘It’s so important that children from all backgrounds feel that the arts are open to them to participate in and enjoy, and so we’re delighted to bring Tinuke Craig’s reimagining of Hamlet to the stage of the National Theatre and directly into school halls.’

Tickets are now available for Hamlet at www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/hamlet 

State schools can now also sign up to take part in Story Seekers - a free digital storytelling project – as well as the National Theatre Collection, which provides classrooms with free access to recordings of the best of British theatre. Find out more at NT Learning’s website.