First look: Tom Hiddleston in Hamlet

Images have been released of the new production of Hamlet at RADA, starring Tom Hiddleston.

The production is being directed by Kenneth Branagh in order to raise funds for the drama school's capital campaign. Hiddleston plays the great Dane alongside a cast including Ayesha Antoine as Rosencrantz and Bernarda), Lolita Chakrabarti as Queen Gertrude, Nicholas Farrell as King Claudius, Sean Foley as Polonius and Osri.

The rest of the cast are Ansu Kabia as King Hamlet and Player King and
Gravedigger, Caroline Martin as Horatia, Eleanor de Rohan as Guildanstern and Marcella and Priest, Irfan Shamji as Laertes and Player Queen, and Kathryn Wilder as Ophelia.

The production sparked controversy for not inviting critics into review the show, the first performance of which was last night. Tickets were released by ballot, with successful applicants selected at random.

Hamlet is being staged in order to raise money for RADA’s Chenies Street site, which will host the first on-site accommodation for students, a new library and enhanced archive and will convert the listed Drill Hall to become a flexible, 250 seat public theatre, named the Richard Attenborough Theatre.

Hamlet runs at the Jerwood Vanburgh Theatre until 23 September.