Thom Yorke reworks Radiohead’s Hail To The Thief for a new theatre production

Radiohead frontman and guitarist Thom Yorke is adapting the band's album Hail to the Thief for a rendition of Shakespeare's Hamlet at Aviva Studios in Manchester and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, London.

Hamlet Hail To The Thief is a contemporary adaptation of the iconic play that Yorke plans to "personally rework. " Thom Yorke, Steven Hoggett, and Christine Jones worked together creatively to bring The Hamlet rendition to life in a live performance.

Art for Hail to the Thief

The play will feature over 20 musicians and actors showcasing their talent. The logline for Hamlet Hail To The Thief explains that "music becomes an integral part of the narrative [in the production]." They explain that the updated plot "distills Shakespeare’s great tragedy to its dark and glittering emotional core."

Hail To The Thief was Radiohead's sixth studio album. Released in 2003, the LP combined both elements of electronic and rock music. Thom Yorke was the lyricist on the majority of the album's tracks and was heavily influenced by the election of U.S. President George Bush, which is referenced in his track 'Hail to the Cheif' which criticized the American "war on terrorism."

The album went platinum in the UK and debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and number three on the US Billboard 200 chart.

Performances for the show will commence in Manchester on April 27, running through May 18. The production will then be at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, running from June 4 until June 28.

Tickets for Hamlet Hail To The Thief are available on October 2 at 10 am. Here is where you can find ticket information.