Looking for Local Actors – Hamlet
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
21st -25th April 2026
Millais’s Ophelia
Produced, directed and designed by Nigel Ashton and Phil Mack.
The searing tragedy of young student Hamlet, tormented by his father’s death and confronting each of us with the mirror of our own mortality in an imperfect world
We are looking for a group of local actors to complete the cast, there are a small number of major roles available. We are also looking for actors to play soldiers and members of the court, these are silent roles. Rehearsals for non speaking roles will be minimal but you will get the chance to wear costumes from the Royal Shakespeare Company and be part of an exciting new venture.
If you are interested in being part of the production please email or message Nigel Ashton
In the town where Ellen Terry, the most acclaimed actress of the 19th century, rehearsed Lady Macbeth and where John Everett Millais, who painted the most famous of all Shakespeare paintings, produced some of his most famous works, Lines End Theatre presents, in the week of Shakespeare’s 410 anniversary, perhaps the greatest play ever written.
Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth
The cast will be led by professional actors, Carl Batchelor as Hamlet, Charlotte England as Ophelia and Sam Woodhams as Horatio
This specially commissioned version of the text reduces the play to its essence and runs about 2 hours. The most obscure classical and Jacobean references have been removed making it fully accessible to a contemporary audience.
This promises to be an extraordinary production.
Nigel Ashton, Phil Mack