‘A privilege – and pretty terrifying’: James Norton to play Hamlet in the West End | Theatre

James Norton will take on his first major Shakespearean stage role, playing Hamlet in the West End next year.

The King & Conqueror star said it was a “privilege” and “quite terrifying” to take on the role of the tragic prince in next autumn’s production by acclaimed German director Thomas Ostermeier. Norton last appeared on stage in 2023 in the harrowing A Little Life, based on Hanya Yanagihara’s novel, which the actor described as the hardest thing he has ever done.

Ostermeier makes his debut Popular version of Hamlet The film visited London in 2008, and in 2011, the film starred Lars Eidinger, wandering around the audience and even grabbing a critic’s notebook. The director, who has been based at Berlin’s Schaubühne since 1999, said: “I’m delighted to be revisiting Hamlet for the West End… This will be the first time I’ve directed Shakespeare in English and I’m excited to explore the original text to bring this new production to life. My first Hamlet has been touring the world for 18 years, so I’m honored to have the opportunity to bring it here to London with James, who in my opinion is the perfect Prince of Denmark.”

In 2006, Norton, who was a student at Cambridge University, played Don Pedro in Robert Icke’s staged Much Ado About Nothing. The following year Norton played Posthumus in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline at the Cambridge Arts theater directed by Trevor Nunn for the Marlowe Society. In 2016, Norton appeared in a short film as part of the Complete Walk series for Shakespeare’s Globe, which was shown for free at locations along the Thames in London to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. He played the role of Richard.

Known for his radical and bold approach to the classics, Ostermeier recently had two star-backed hits in London: The Seagull, led by Cate Blanchett, and An Enemy of the People, with Matt Smith. Norton praised the engaging and challenging nature of the director’s work. “It is a privilege for anyone to take on the role of Hamlet,” he said. “It’s also pretty scary! But I know I couldn’t be in better hands with Thomas Ostermeier at the helm.”

Hamlet is produced by Wessex Grove and Gavin Kalin Productions. The venue, dates and other casting details have not been announced yet.