July 2024

Join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men this summer, in their 20th year, for Hamlet, the greatest play in the English language at The Bishop's Palace.

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. “To be, or not to be, that is the question.” 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 bring your own rugs or low-back seating. Tickets - Adult £18 - Child £10 - Family (two adults and two under 16s) £50