Hamlet comes to Horden

Ensemble ‘84’s upcoming production brings Shakespeare’s First Quarto - The Tragicall Historic of Hamlet to Horden, County Durham. Using the rarely performed First Quarto text of Hamlet, this striking new staging brings a shorter, urgent version of Shakespeare’s tragedy. 

A kingdom is unsettled. The King of Denmark is dead, his brother now wears the crown, and Prince Hamlet is left grieving - and suspicious. When the ghost of his father appears with a terrible revelation, Hamlet is drawn into a dangerous quest for truth and revenge. As secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, the royal court becomes a place of spies, deception and growing madness. Hamlet must decide how to act in a world that no longer feels certain.

The First Quarto text of Hamlet drives the story forward with pace, punch and clarity. Told with striking differences in structure, dialogue and character names, the story unfolds with compelling theatrical energy, bringing the drama, poetry and humanity of this great play vividly to life.

Mark Dornford-May, Director and Artistic Director of Ensemble ‘84, said:

Hamlet remains one of the most powerful and enduring plays ever written. The First Quarto version gives us a fascinating and highly theatrical way into the story; it moves with urgency and clarity, allowing the drama to unfold with remarkable pace. For a company like Ensemble ‘84, rooted in storytelling and performance, it offers a thrilling opportunity to rediscover this extraordinary play.

For further information and to book tickets visit the Hamlet page on our website here