Tom Hiddleston's Hamlet: lucky few win ballot to see 'exceptional' stage performance

The lucky few theatregoers fortunate enough to secure tickets to see Tom Hiddleston play Hamlet at Rada's tiny in-house theatre have been crowing about the actor's brilliance on social media.

The Jerwood Vanbrugh theatre only has 160 seats and fans had to enter a ballot to be allocated tickets. Even press reviewers had to apply through the main ballot, but so far several four star reviews have still been published.

Rada limited tickets to two per person and prices ranged from £15-£95. No returns are being offered for the production, which means there is neither a returns queue, or day tickets available.

The run started on 1 September and will continue to the 23rd, with a Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) spokesperson saying today there were "no current plans for Hamlet to extend or transfer" to another theatre.

But the shortage of tickets did not lead to a shortage of Twitter gushing over the weekend, letting those less fortunate know exactly what they were missing out on.

The show sees Kenneth Branagh's Olivier Award-winning theatre company join forces with Rada to raise the £20 million needed to regenerate its Chenies Street site in London,

A Rada press release said " the new premises will provide RADA’s first on-site accommodation for students. RADA already supports 70 per cent of students on its core programmes financially, and such new accommodation will further remove financial barriers to training."

"The regeneration, which will also include a new library and enhanced archive, will convert the listed Drill Hall to become a flexible, 250 seat public theatre, named the Richard Attenborough Theatre."

Kenneth Branagh said: “I believe Shakespeare and Rada are very good things. This production celebrates both. We bring actors, writers, directors and technicians from last year’s KBTC Garrick season, and team them with Rada graduates past and present, together with artists from the larger creative world to explore Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The play speaks as loudly as ever to our volatile world and we are proud to have Tom Hiddleston lead an exciting group of actors, as he plays the title role for the first time. This work has been in discussion and planning over a period of years. To find its expression at, with, and for Rada, is a privilege.”

Tom Hiddleston said: “Kenneth Branagh and I have long talked about working on the play together, and now felt like the right time, at the right place. To be guided through it by him as a director, an expert and a friend, is our great good fortune. The performing arts exist to bring people together, not to break or keep them apart. I hope the funds raised by the production will help Rada continue to provide a wider field of equal opportunity to train actors, stage managers and technical theatre artists, from every background, to a standard of excellence and professionalism. We need to keep the doors open for everyone.”