Ralph Davis will play the title role the Royal Shakespeare Company’s forthcoming touring production of Hamlet which visits Norwich Theatre Royal between 10 – 14 Mar 26.
An accomplished classical actor, Ralph Davis has already played several leading men. He was nominated for the 2023 Ian Charleson Award for playing Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, appeared as Edmund in King Lear (both at Shakespeare’s Globe), and most recently played Iago in Othello at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, for which he came second in the 2025 Ian Charleson Awards. As well as other theatre credits at the Almeida, Chichester Festival Theatre, Ustinov Studio and elsewhere, Ralph’s RSC credits include Tamburlaine, Timon of Athens, Richard III and King John.
Ralph co-wrote, created and starred in Film Club for the BBC which came out earlier this year. His other screen credits include House of the Dragon for HBO, Big Boys for Channel 4, SAS: Rogue Heroes, Life After Life and Steve McQueen’s Small Axe for the BBC.
Talking about playing Hamlet, Ralph Davis said:
“I am feeling galvanised as hell! Hamlet changed my life as a little boy. I used to make the pilgrimage to Stratford (which was 10 minutes down the road from where I lived) every few years to watch various heroes of mine climb the mountain of the part and explore the depths of this great, great play. It’s a beast. The most exciting story, compelling characters and the most penetrating and beautiful of words. The fact that I am going to get to go on that journey every evening whilst travelling round the country at the same time, is just completely thrilling.”
Hamlet – Shakespeare’s epic family drama of deceit and murder – is directed by multi award-winner Rupert Goold. The production visits Norwich Theatre Royal in March 2026 as part of a tour, after originally opening in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon earlier this year. Full casting for the tour will be announced in due course.
Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark. After the death of Hamlet’s father, his uncle, Claudius, marries his mother and takes the throne for himself. In one of the most famous scenes in Shakespeare, Hamlet’s father appears to the young prince as a ghost, telling his son that he was murdered by Claudius. Seeking vengeance, he wants Hamlet to kill Claudius, setting off a tragic chain of events.
Talking about the tour Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, RSC Co-Artistic Directors said:
“We are delighted that Rupert Goold’s production of Hamlet – perhaps Shakespeare’s most famous play – will be taking to the road in 2026. It promises to be a thrilling piece of theatre, and we can’t wait for audiences up and down the country to see it.
“Our long-term partnerships with regional theatres across England are a central part of our mission to redefine experiences of Shakespeare’s work with and for young people and adults. We are excited that audiences in town and cities across England will get to see this new production and have opportunities to deepen their connection to the play through participation work happening in and around each of the theatres.”
Rupert Goold’s theatre credits include celebrated productions of Dear England (National Theatre), and Romeo and Juliet and The Merchant of Venice (RSC). In 2026 Rupert will take up the role of Artistic Director of The Old Vic after 13 years at the Almeida Theatre. He has received Olivier, Critics’ Circle and Evening Standard awards for Best Director twice and won a Peabody Award in 2011 for Macbeth. In 2017 he received a CBE in the New Year’s Honours for services to drama.
Joining Rupert on the creative team are: Sophie Drake (Revival Director), Es Devlin (Set Designer), Evie Gurney (Costume Designer), Jack Knowles (Lighting Designer), Adam Cork (Composer and Sound Designer), Hannes Langolf (Movement Director), Akhila Krishnan (Video Designer), Kev McCurdy (Fight Director); and Charlotte Sutton CDG (Casting Director).
The tour of Hamlet is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, which makes it possible for the RSC to expand its tour to work in partnership with more places across England.
