Theatre News

Revealed: The nation's favourite Shakespeare play

To celebrate William Shakespeare’s 454th birthday, we asked our readers to vote for their favourite play

Paapa Essiedu, Andrew Scott and Benedict Cumberbatch
Paapa Essiedu, Andrew Scott and Benedict Cumberbatch
© Manuel Harlan, Manuel Harlan, Johan Persson

454 years since the birth of William Shakespeare his plays are as celebrated and loved as ever. To mark the occasion we asked our readers what their favourite play by the Bard is, and the results are in.

In a close-fought battle that would have made any of Shakespeare's warriors sweat, there was only a few per cent in the top five. But easily casting off its competitors, Hamlet has been crowned victorious. Likely helped by recent smash-hit productions including at the RSC, the Barbican, and the Almeida, starring Paapa Essiedu, Benedict Cumberbatch and Andrew Scott respectively, the tragedy saw off competition from Much Ado About Nothing and Macbeth, which came in second and third.

Below is the full top ten, did your favourite make the cut or miss out? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.