THE TRAGICALL HISTORIE OF HAMLET - SHAKESPEARE’S FIRST QUARTO
Ensemble ‘84 present, The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet - Shakespeare’s First Quarto, a striking new staging of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Performed by our all-County-Durham cast in our new venue, The Playhouse, Horden.
Dates: May 26th - June 6th 2026.
Tickets are on-sale now.
To book accessible seating, please email info@ensemble84.com or call our Box Office on 0191 300 4340 (telephone bookings from Tuesday 7th April).
Standard Ticket (Recommended) - If you’re able, we encourage you to choose this option.
Open Concession (No questions asked) - If money’s tight, choose this rate — we’re just glad you’re here.
Solidarity Ticket (Show additional support) - If you can give a little more, please consider this option.
Grief, betrayal and revenge. The search for truth carries a deadly cost.
Ensemble 84's upcoming production brings The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet-Shakespeare’s First Quarto to The Playhouse in Horden, County Durham. Using the rarely performed First Quarto text of Hamlet, this striking new staging brings a shorter, urgent version to Shakespeare’s tragedy, combining powerful storytelling with live music, song and movement.
A kingdom is unsettled. The King of Denmark is dead, his brother now wears the crown, and Prince Hamlet is left grieving - and suspicious. When the ghost of his father appears with a terrible revelation, Hamlet is drawn into a dangerous quest for truth and revenge. As secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, the royal court becomes a place of spies, deception and growing madness. Hamlet must decide how to act in a world that no longer feels certain.
The First Quarto text of Hamlet is a shorter, rarely performed version of Shakespeare’s tragedy that drives the story forward with pace, punch and clarity. Told with striking differences in structure, dialogue and character names, the story unfolds with compelling theatrical energy, bringing the drama, poetry and humanity of this great play vividly to life.
Directed by Mark Dornford-May and performed in the immersive setting of a former Roman Catholic Church, Shakespeare’s gripping tale of grief, betrayal and revenge is staged once more, providing a fresh perspective on the familiar story.
Creative Team
Writer - William Shakespeare
Director - Mark Dornford-May
Event Information
Venue: The Playhouse, South Terrace, Horden, County Durham, SR8 4NQ
Dates:
May 26th, 19:30 - PREVIEW
May 27th, 19:30 - PREVIEW
May 28th, 19:00 - PREMIERE
May 29th, 19:30
May 30th, 14:30 (Matinee), 19:30
June 2nd, 19:30
June 3rd, 14:30 (Matinee)
June 4th, 19:30
June 5th, 19:30
June 6th, 14:30 (Matinee), 19:30
Content Advisory: May contain flashing lights, loud music and strong language.
Age restriction advised 12+ (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult).
Book tickets online or call our Box Office on 0191 300 4340 (telephone bookings from Tuesday 7th April).