Hamlet in Reading Abbey Ruins

This July, Reading Abbey Ruins will present a fresh and fast-paced interpretation of Shakespeare’s greatest play, Hamlet. 

Now 20, Hamlet is clever yet bewildered. His mental health is suffering, following his father’s peculiar death. His widowed mother has remarried his uncle, who has usurped the Danish throne.  The world is a relentless machine of gears and ticking time. Dark humour intermingles with grief, betrayal and insanity, culminating in a tragic conclusion.

If you’re familiar with the play, you might find our version more concise and entertaining than other productions. We’ve streamlined the narrative to preserve the core plot, the most memorable speeches and familiar quotes. For newcomers to the story, it promises to be the most enjoyable experience you can have at a tragedy. 

Running time: 2 hours 45 minutes, including a 20 minute interval - perfect for open air theatre.