“Raw. Inviting. A high-wire act from start to finish.”
One performer, 23 characters, and the full weight of Shakespeare’s greatest revenge story — this is DC theatre at its most daring.
A World Tour Record Lands in Washington
Following a triple-extended New York run, a box office record-breaking engagement at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, and a sold-out six-week London run that Dame Judi Dench called “Spectacular,” Tony Award nominee Eddie Izzard brings a solo performance of Shakespeare’s Hamlet to Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre. Sold-out runs in San Francisco and Seattle preceded DC, and this world tour carries a clear mission — reaching out and making connections rather than breaking them. The audiences have followed everywhere, and DC is next.
One Performer, 23 Characters, Every Role
Adapted by Mark Izzard into an accessible yet surprisingly traditional retelling, Hamlet features Izzard inhabiting all 23 characters — men, women, ghosts, scholars, tyrants, courtiers, lovers, and fools — across approximately two hours and five minutes with one intermission. Directed by Selina Cadell, the performance balances raw intensity with remarkable warmth as Izzard breaks the fourth wall during soliloquies, directly pulling the audience into the interior world of the Danish court. The production is a high-wire act, projecting both feminine and masculine energy from a single performer — an endurance test that earns every moment of your attention!
Sound and Lighting Bring the Audience Closer
Lighting designer Tyler Elich and composer Eliza Thompson have built an atmosphere where moments of booming thunder and technical artistry deepen the human story rather than overshadowing it. Set and costume designers Tom Piper and Libby Da Costa give the production a visual fluidity that moves seamlessly across all 23 personalities. The result is a stage that simply gets out of the way of the extraordinary performer. Izzard’s career — actor, multi-lingual comedian, multi-marathon runner, and more — has never fit a single description, and this performance proves exactly why.
Secure Your Tickets Before This Historic Run Closes
Several performances are already sold out or nearly gone — do not wait on this one! Izzard’s Hamlet is essential viewing for anyone serious about the live stage in this city. Book now and witness a performance that will be talked about for years.
Shakespeare Theatre Company — Klein Theatre. 610 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004 Box Office: (202) 547-1122 Tickets: Approximately $45–$125 (visit site for current availability)
Featured image credit: AMANDA SEARLE.
