Hamlet – outdoor theatre

 “To be, or not to be, that is the question.”

Join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men this summer, in their 20th year, for Hamlet, arguably the greatest play in the English language. With a history stretching back to William Shakespeare’s original company, they present this great play as he first saw it – in the open air, with an all-male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.

“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”

Returning home from university for his father, the King of Denmark’s funeral, which is also the occasion of his mother’s remarriage to his uncle, Hamlet the Prince, is visited by the ghost of his father. The ghost reveals that his brother, Hamlet’s uncle, now stepfather and King, killed him and he urges Hamlet to take revenge. Driven to distraction by the grief of his father’s death and what lies ahead of him, Hamlet is forced to confront his deepest fears and in doing so questions himself, those around him and the very nature of existence.

Thrilling, moving and deeply human this stunning play seeks answers to life’s biggest questions and, in doing so, holds up a mirror to all our natures. “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all”

Bring a chair and a picnic and prepare to be entertained and transported. Book early to avoid missing out!

Please arrive via the north gates using the postcode NR23 1RH and proceed to the Walled Garden. Our parking team will be on hand to direct you. You will be parked on the meadow at the entrance to the Walled Garden. The performance begins at 6.30pm and lasts for approximately 2 hours. The Walled Garden will be open from 5:45pm.

Low backed seating and rugs/picnic blankets are permitted at the performance. Please come prepared for all weathers! Umbrellas will not be permitted unless you are on the back row.

Sorry, no dogs are permitted, except assistance dogs. We ask that dogs are not left in vehicles during the performance.

Have a browse of some of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men’s previous performances of different works of Shakespeare. Can you guess what any of the plays are?