James Norton to star in Hamlet in the West End

WhatsOnStage Award winner James Norton will return to the stage to play the title role in a new London revival of Hamlet.

The production is conceived and directed by acclaimed German theatre-maker Thomas Ostermeier, and will opening in the West End in autumn 2027.

Norton said: “It’s a privilege for anyone to take on the role of Hamlet. It’s also pretty terrifying! But with Thomas Ostermeier at the helm, I know I could not be in better hands. Both this role and this director have intrigued me and challenged me over the years, and so I cannot wait to start this journey with Thomas and see where it takes us.”

Ostermeier added: “I am pleased to be revisiting Hamlet for the West End with the great stage actor, James Norton. It will be my first time directing Shakespeare in English, and I am excited to explore the original text in order to bring this new production to life.

“My first Hamlet has been touring the world for 18 years so I am honoured to have the opportunity to bring it here to London with James, who in my mind is a perfect Prince of Denmark.”

Ostermeier’s first radical take on Shakespeare’s tragedy saw six performers take on around 20 roles between them, and has toured extensively since its 2008 premiere. Hamlet was last seen at a West End house in 2017 in a production by Rob Icke, starring Andrew Scott.

Produced by Wessex Grove and Gavin Kalin Productions, the 2027 production’s London venue and performance dates are yet to be announced.

Norton was last seen on stage in Ivo van Hove’s A Little Life. His forthcoming screen work includes Sam Mendes’ four-film The Beatles project, in which he plays Brian Epstein.

Ostermeier’s recent London productions include The Seagull starring Cate Blanchett and Tom Burke at the Barbican, and An Enemy of the People starring Matt Smith in the West End. His work has earned numerous international honours, including the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale.

The production is presented by Wessex Grove, the award-winning producer whose credits include Vanya with Andrew Scott, Oh, Mary!, and The Seagull, alongside Gavin Kalin Productions, whose recent credits include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Sunset Boulevard and A Streetcar Named Desire.