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A bold new response to Shakespeare’s most popular play is reaching its final stages of rehearsal as Hamlet: The Rest is Silence prepares to take the Royal Concert Hall stage this June.

Hamlet: The Rest is Silence
Tuesday 10 June 7pm & Wednesday 11 June at 1:30pm

Produced by the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, in collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company, this ambitious ‘people’s theatre’ production has brought together local actors, technicians and creatives of all ages through an 11-month creative journey — from workshops and devising, to masterclasses and technical upskilling.

Directed by Rebecca Morris, who also crafted the adapted script, the production has stayed true to the core of Shakespeare’s plot while dynamically reshaping it for a 21st-century audience. “We’ve created an adaptation shaped by the stories of the people involved,” Morris explains. “It’s not just about the performance, it’s also been about the process — collaborative, rigorous, and profoundly human. This production is really what the Shakespeare Nation is all about, from those participating to those watching, looking at what is relevant and beautiful about these timeless stories, and sharing our interpretation in a way that is clear and accessible to everyone.”

Set within the uniquely resonant space of the Royal Concert Hall, the show explores the sound and silence within Hamlet, focusing on storytelling clarity and theatrical invention. The script has been carefully sculpted using questions like: What is the purpose of this scene? What do we need to keep in, to tell the story? Can it be visual? What language do we love? The result is a two-hour production that retains the heart of Shakespeare while embracing contemporary voices and visual storytelling. It is suitable for everyone, from seasoned fans of Shakespeare to those accessing the work for the very first time.

Two Casts. One Story. Two Unique Experiences.

With a double-cast company, each performance promises a distinct interpretation of the same text — offering audiences a powerful reason to return for a second viewing. Additional scenes have been created from text found elsewhere in Shakespeare’s works, enriching the central narrative with fresh context and character depth.

Technical Value
It’s not only local actors who get the chance to participate, there is also a community technical and production team of nine. Between them they have created the props, set, and costumes, and designed the lights and sound for the show with support and training provided by TRCH and the RSC. The Deputy Stage Manager and Assistant Director are also community participants who, along with the rest of the production team, have trained for almost a year to be enabled to run this production from behind the scenes.

What the Participants Say:
“It’s such a refreshing change to be part of a group where everyone is so friendly, welcoming and supportive of each other’s ideas.”

“We haven’t simply been given a script to learn – I’m learning something new here and having a completely different experience.”

“The workshops help us gel as a group with such diversity in every way… yet we all work seamlessly together.”

“Watching how others interpreted some scenes gave me a real lightbulb moment – I actually understood it.

“This production is like no other I’ve ever been a part of – the process has been so effortlessly flexible, and it feels like we all have a voice, but within a safe and profoundly professional structure.”

“We ALL have a relationship with Shakespeare now – I had never even read a play by him, and now I have a main part in Hamlet!”

“I never thought I’d be on a stage 35 years since I last stood on one! And here I am, performing Shakespeare at the Royal Concert Hall, what an experience of a lifetime 😍”

Final Stages of Rehearsal
The production has now moved from research and development to rehearsing full runs of the show. The participants will also have the opportunity to work with specialist coaches from the RSC, including support in stage combat and vocal technique.

Follow the journey on social media at Hamlet: The Rest is Silence (Community Production) | Facebook

This production is made possible thanks to the support of the Royal Shakespeare Company and funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Arts Council England.

Multibuy offer: book both performances for £20 instead of £30. Simply add both performances to your basket to get the discount.