Paapa Essiedu will reprise his award-winning performance in the title role of The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC)’s acclaimed production of Hamlet, touring to the Hackney Empire.
Directed by Simon Godwin, the production will see the RSC Associate Artist return to the role of one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragic heroes, touring the UK before arriving in Hackney to play from 6 to 31 March 2018. Further casting is to be announced.
Paapa won Best Performance in a Play at the UK Theatre Awards in 2016 for his portrayal of Hamlet, with his other RSC credits including Edmund in King Lear, Fenton in The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Mouse and his Child. Additional theatre credits include King Lear (National Theatre) and Romeo and Juliet (Tobacco Factory). He played Demetrius in Russell T Davies’ adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream for BBC1 (2016)
Simon, who is also Associate Director of the Royal Court Theatre, commented: “As Hamlet, Paapa is intelligent, youthful and charismatic, with a contemporary wit. But Paapa’s portrayal is also mercurial with an element of danger.”
“Part ghost story, part family tragedy, part dark comedy, Hamlet is an urgent and gripping thriller. I can’t wait to see how audiences respond to it around the country.”
You can watch clip from the production in 2016 below:
Hamlet is directed by Simon Godwin and designed by Paul Wills with lighting by Paul Anderson. Music for the production is composed by Jamiroquai percussionist Sola Akingbola. Sound is by Christopher Shutt, movement by Mbulelo Ndabeni, and fights by Kev McCurdy.
More information can be found on the Hackney Empire’s website.