Tom York’s Perspective on Hamlet
Tom York shed light on how Hamlet welcomes the thief Production is connected to Radiohead “Hail to the thief.”
Production Details and Insights
The show is based on the 2003 Radiohead records, when York combines efforts with Tony and Olivier awards Stephen Hoggett and Christine Jones to create a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Ahead of the night at the premiere, they sat with Observer to discuss their cooperation when York revealed that, despite the obvious synchronism, the album and the Shakespearean tragedy, “Hamlet was not in our minds when we made a record.”
“I do not subscribe to synchronism,” he added. “You know, what about Wizard Lake and the “dark side of the moon”; You are watching a movie, turning the sound, putting on another soundtrack, and something is revealed. But, obviously, my initial reaction was Hamlet. Therefore, this is a priest, it is untouched. You cannot. But the idea did not leave. It planted a little seed in my head.
York personally processed and organized the production record, and the project is described as a “Factory new living experience, merging theater, music, and movement.” Earlier this month, NME obtained an exclusive look at backstage photos from the show that you can check here.
Jones noted that 20 years ago, the record seemed to echo some of the dialogue of the play, explaining that both began “with a question.” Furthermore, York mentioned that their approach to unification made him feel “sacred,” adding that returning to the “welcoming thief” felt like there was “unfinished business.”
“I can’t explain this; it all turned to chaos,” he explained. “The end, mixing it, was really hard and not at all fun. So it was a healthy process for me, especially for me, but for others, it was a way to answer what the original feeling was. All this was more open than one idea of the ‘welcome the thief.’
Having established its world premiere in Aviva Studios in Manchester yesterday (April 27), the production will run until May 18, before moving to the Shakespeare Royal Theater in Stratford, where it will take place from June 4 to June 28.
Visit Factoryinternational.org and rsc.org.uk for tickets to Hamlet welcomes the thief.
In another place, rumors about the tour on Radiohead angles continued to circulate after the group formed a new legal entity, suggesting they might plan significant activities in 2025.
Additionally, an auction with a fire service listed tickets for a potential tour after being donated by a company called Blueyed Pictures.
However, a representative from Radiohead has confirmed that Blueyed Pictures does not control the group and has no connection with them. The original Radiohead listing was deleted and replaced by a general offer for “four leading concert tickets.”
As for the work on the new album, bassist Colin Greenwood caught up with NME around the release of his new photo book How to Disappear, discussing rehearsals for the group’s reunification last summer, calling them “really good fun.” Guitarist Johnny Greenwood also commented that the sessions were “funny and natural.”
In other news, last month, York and Mark Pritchard announced their first full-length album together. “Tales” will be released on May 9 through WARP and will include the singles “in this conversation there is not enough your voice” and “back to the game.”
They also recently announced plans for a special global screening event a day before the official release of the LP. You can buy tickets here.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/thom-yorke-explains-connection-of-radioheads-hail-to-the-thief-to-new-hamlet-production-3858926?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thom-yorke-explains-connection-of-radioheads-hail-to-the-thief-to-new-hamlet-production
