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by William Shakespeare, directed by Robert HastieOlivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) is Hamlet in this fearless, contemporary take on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy.
Trapped between duty and doubt, surrounded by power and privilege, young Prince Hamlet dares to ask the ultimate question – you know the one.
Doors open at 2pm and seats reserved in advance are FREE (donations appreciated) or remains £10 on the door.
Genre: Recorded live theatre
Runtime: 2h + interval
Certificate: 12
Starring: Hiran Abeysekera
Trailer:
Plot: https://www.rusthallcinema.club/films/nt-live%3A-hamlet
Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/rusthall-community-cinema/
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.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Sunnyside Hall, Rusthall Road, TN4 8RA Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom, Sunnyside Hall, Rusthall Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8RE, United Kingdom, Royal Tunbridge Wells
Tickets
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