On tour now
★★★★
"A smart, playful and musically rich Hamlet that distils Shakespeare’s biggest questions into an hour of inventive, child-centred storytelling without ever underestimating its young audience."
— Chris Elwell, Everything Theatre
"To be, or not to be, that is the question."
With just two actors, one musician, seven props, and a suitcase, NIE reimagines the world’s most famous play in a funny and accessible way.
Hamlet is a family drama of revenge, justice, and moral dilemmas. NIE’s ensemble combine Shakespearean verse, contemporary language, and inventive staging to make the story engaging and exciting for young audiences.
The production is brought to life with an original soundtrack, live music and sound effects. In just 60 minutes we’ll take you on a roller-coaster of excitement, humour and grief in this bitesize retelling of Shakespeare’s classic tale.
Running time: 60 minutes + Audience Q&A
Performed in English
Suitable for Schools & Family audiences Age 8+
Warnings – References Ophelia’s suicide.
Further resources to support this show can be found on our Creative Learning pages here.
Trailer 1
Trailer 2 Schools
Suitable for ages 8+
Produced by NIE
Press
“This is quality theatre: inventive, respectful of its audience, and quietly ambitious in what it asks young people to engage with. It’s a smart, portable Hamlet that proves big ideas travel well – even when they’re packed into a suitcase.”
– Chris Elwell, Everything Theatre
“Hugely enjoyable and accessible version of Hamlet…The small ensemble cast brought to life numerous characters with help from some surprising props. Who knew so much comedy was contained in this well-known tragedy?”
– Joanne Grey. Partnerships, Cambridgeshire County Council
“The production of Hamlet was amazing. All the children were really engaged and on the edge of their seats. The music was brilliant…A truly enjoyable afternoon for all. I would throughly recommend.”
– Mrs Griffiths Y5 teacher
“Absolutely amazing show! As a parent it was great to watch the children get involved and enjoy the story. 5 stars!”
– Audience member
“Totally amazing! The children were so engaged as was I! The structure was very clever, loved it! This will definitely inspire the children to read.”
– Audience member
“SO SO SO BRILLIANT! Clever and funny… Absolute vibe.”
– Audience member
“You guys are such talented people, I would love you to come again (please do!) You are good singers… It’s probably my first theatre act seeing you at the school.
– Young audience member
Credits
Director – Michael Judge
Designer – Rachana Jadhav
Lighting Designer – Trui Malten/Ash Day
Composer – Greg Hall
Tech Stage Manager – Simon Perkins
Performers – Megan Vaughan-Thomas, Greg Hall and Abayomi Oniyide
Previous Performers – Jodie Cuaresma & Rose McPhilemy
Producer – Ruth Carter-Moore
Hamlet was the first of our ‘Shakespeare in a Suitcase’ series – interpretations of Shakespeare’s work for primary schools and family audiences – Challenging ourselves to re-tell these powerful stories in just one hour.
This show has previously toured to schools in Cambridgeshire and London, and was part of The Library Presents programme in the autumn 2021.
