The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company has teamed up with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art for a special three-week staging of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, with ticket sales going towards the development of RADA’s Chenies Street site in London. Avengers star Tom Hiddleston will take on the title role, with Kenneth Branagh set to direct.

Oscar nominee Branagh himself took on the title role in the 1996 film version of Hamlet, which he directed and adapted for the screen.

Hamlet will play the Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre September 1-23.

Completing the cast will be Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company and RADA membrs Ayesha Antoine as Rosencrantz/Bernarda, Lolita Chakrabarti as Queen Gertrude, Nicholas Farrell as King Claudius, Sean Foley as Polonius/Osric, Ansu Kabia as King Hamlet/Player King/Gravedigger, Caroline Martin as Horatia, Eleanor de Rohan as Guildastern/Marcella/Priest, Irfan Shamji as Laertes/Player Queen, and Kathryn Wilder as Ophelia.

All funds raised will support the RADA Attenborough Campaign, which aims to raise £20 million towards the regeneration of the Chenies Street site. The new premises will provide RADA’s first on-site accommodation for students, as well as a new library and enhanced archive, and a 250-seat theatre, named the Richard Attenborough Theatre.

Hamlet will be designed by James Cotterill with lighting design by Paul Pyant and sound design by Paul Arditti and Christopher Reid. Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann are casting directors for the production.

Tickets will be available via a ballot, which will open at midday August 1 until 6 PM August 6 at RADAHamlet.com.

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