Northern Broadsides Return to the Rose with Hamlet

Following on from the critical success of 1984 and The Canterbury Tales, Northern Broadsides Associate Director Conrad Nelson brings yet another classic to the stage, William Shakespeare's tragic tale of Hamlet. The new production, in partnership with New Vic Theatre, Newcastle under Lyme, runs at the Rose from 24 - 28 May.

This will be Northern Broadsides fourth visit to Kingston, following the sell-out run of Othello with Lenny Henry prior to the West End, 1984 and The Canterbury Tales.

A restless spirit haunts the battlements of Elsinore. The veil between the natural and the supernatural is ripped apart, and a tormented young man teeters on the brink of madness. His choices are stark: revenge or mercy; hope or despair; life or death.

Northern Broadsides' haunting production, directed by Conrad Nelson, employs theatrical sleight of hand to conjure ghosts of the dead and demons of the mind; bringing to the stage an inventive and insightful take on the tortured Danish Prince.

Celebrated for their revelatory approach to Shakespeare and featuring a multi-talented company of charismatic actors, Northern Broadsides has won a loyal following worldwide.

Hamlet's cast features Nicholas Shaw in the role of Hamlet ('Tis Pity She's a Whore and Anthology, Liverpool Everyman Theatre), Becky Hindley (Best known as the stalker Charlotte Hoyle in Coronation Street) as Gertrude, Natalie Dew (Arabian Nights, RSC as Ophelia) and Fine Time Fontayne (Othello, Northern Broadsides as Claudius).

The production also features brothers David Colvin (Black Watch, National Theatre of Scotland) as Rosencrantz and Richard Colvin (Assassins, Sheffield Theatres) as Guildenstern, appearing together on stage for the first time.

Co-produced with Staffordshire's award-winning New Vic Theatre, the production's fine creative team includes New Vic resident designer, Lis Evans, who recently won national acclaim for The Canterbury Tales (Northern Broadsides and New Vic), with lighting by David Philips.

Tickets for Hamlet are priced at £8 - £28 and can be purchased at the Box Office on 0871 230 1552 or online at www.rosetheatrekingston.org