James Norton to Star as Hamlet in West End! 🎠Autumn 2027 Awaits!
James Norton to Star as Hamlet in West End! 🎠Autumn 2027 Awaits!
Happy Valley's James Norton tackles Hamlet in West End, directed by Thomas Ostermeier! Prepare for a 'terrifying privilege' in autumn 2027. Don't miss this Shakespearean epic!
Get ready, theatre fans! James Norton, beloved for his roles in 'Happy Valley' and 'King & Conqueror', is set to take on one of the most iconic roles in theatre: Hamlet. He will star as the tragic prince in a West End production opening in autumn 2027, under the direction of the acclaimed German director Thomas Ostermeier.
Norton expressed both excitement and trepidation about the role, describing it as "a privilege – and pretty terrifying." This marks his first major Shakespearean stage performance, following his highly physical and demanding role in 2023's 'A Little Life', which he called the hardest thing he's ever done.
Thomas Ostermeier, renowned for his innovative staging, will be directing a Shakespearean play in English for the first time. His acclaimed version of Hamlet, which first premiered in 2008 and toured globally for 18 years, previously visited London in 2011 with Lars Eidinger in the lead. Ostermeier shared his enthusiasm, stating, "I am pleased to be revisiting Hamlet for the West End... I am excited to explore the original text in order to bring this new production to life," and praised Norton as a "perfect Prince of Denmark."
While this is a significant step, Norton is no stranger to Shakespeare. During his time at Cambridge University, he performed in 'Much Ado About Nothing' and 'Cymbeline'. He also starred as Richard II in a short film as part of the 'Complete Walk' series. This new production promises to be a captivating event for theatregoers and a landmark performance for Norton.
