NT Live: Hamlet

Join the return of Hiran Abeysekera as Prince Hamlet in a fresh, compelling live-cinema experience of William Shakespeare’s enduring tragedy. In a production marked by immediacy and modern flair, the young Danish prince is caught between duty and doubt, power and betrayal — and asks the ultimate question: To be or not to be …

Set against a sleek, contemporary backdrop, this interpretation throws fresh light on familiar characters and motivations. Hamlet returns from his father’s death and his mother’s hasty remarriage to his uncle Claudius, only to discover a complex web of deceit, grief and expectation. With the ghost of his father, the court’s political machinations, and his own spiralling mental anguish, Hamlet embarks on a journey of vengeance, introspection and tragic consequence. But this version isn’t merely the classic text on auto-pilot — it’s bold, visually arresting, and layered with dark humour and modern resonance.

Why this version is a must-see:

• Contemporary reinvention: From direction to design, the production breathes new life into the story. Robert Hastie’s vision frames the drama not just as archaic revenge tragedy, but as a living, urgent conflict of today — identity, legacy and truth. 

• Star performance: Hiran Abeysekera brings charisma, vulnerability and nuance to Hamlet — the prince is witty, restless and deeply aware of the weight he bears. His dynamic presence anchors the production. 

• Theatre-cinema fusion: This is not just a filmed play — it’s the live charge of the stage captured for cinema. The intimacy of the performance and the scale of the broadcast make it an experience for both theatre-lovers and film-goers alike. 

• Stylish, smart and emotionally layered: Expect moments of tension, sharp wit, and psychological depth. While the production keeps its finger on the pulse, it doesn’t shy from the existential underpinnings of Hamlet’s predicament — the ghost, the court intrigue, the fatal impulse.

Whether you’re drawn by Shakespeare’s legendary language, intrigued by bold contemporary theatre, or simply eager for a performance that sparks real insight and emotion, this rendition of Hamlet delivers. It’s an opportunity to revisit an old masterpiece through new eyes — to ask, along with Hamlet: what happens when the mask slips, the court turns inwards, and the vengeance we seek also hunts us down?

If you’re looking for drama that’s alive, thought-provoking and visually compelling — this is your chance.