Rory Kinnear Opens in Title Role of National Theatre's Hamlet, Oct. 7 – Playbill.com

Rory Kinnear Opens in Title Role of National Theatre's Hamlet, Oct. 7

by Mark Shenton07 Oct 2010

Rory Kinnear Photo by Johan Persson

Rory Kinnear becomes London's latest leading actor to play the title role in Shakespeare's Hamlet, opening at the National's Olivier Theatre Oct. 7 following previews from Sept. 7.

the production is directed by the National's artistic director Nicholas Hytner, and also features David Calder as Polonius, Clare Higgins as Gertrude, James Laurenson as Ghost/Player King, Patrick Malahide as Claudius and Ruth Negga as Ophelia.

Kinnear has previously appeared at the National Theatre in Burnt by the Sun, the Revenger's Tragedy, Philistines, Southwark Fair and The Man of Mode (the latter of which won him an Olivier Award and the 2007 Ian Charleson Award). he has previously played Laertes to Ben Whishaw's Hamlet at the Old Vic, and other Shakespearean credits include starring in the Almeida's Measure for Measure and seasons with the RSC that included The Taming of the Shrew and Cymbeline. he has also appeared in Mary Stuart at the Donmar Warehouse and Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, and Festen at the Lyric. his screen credits include "Quantum of Solace," "Margaret Thatcher – the Long Walk to Finchley," "Mansfield Park," "Lennon Naked," "Cranford" and "the Thick of it."

the production is designed by Vicki Mortimer, with lighting by Jon Clark, sound by Paul Groothuis and fight direction by Kate Waters. the company also includes Matthew Barker, Jake Fairbrother, Ferdinand Kingsley, Alex Lanipekun, James Pearse, Saskia Portway, Victor Power, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Nick Sampson, Michael Sheldon, Leo Staar, Zara Tempest-Walters, Giles Terera and Ellie Turner.

it will be broadcast to cinemas across the UK and worldwide on Dec. 9 as part of the second season of National Theatre Live.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7452 3000, or visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk for more details.