Thom Yorke Shares Link Between Radiohead’s ‘Hail To The Thief’ And New ‘Hamlet’ Stage Adaptation

In a new interview with The Observer, Thom Yorke sheds light on the creative connection between a new production of Hamlet and Radiohead‘s 2003 album, Hail To The Thief, ahead of opening night of Hamlet Hail To The Thief. Yorke collaborated with Tony and Olivier Award-winning directors Steven Hoggett and Christine Jones to create a “feverish new live experience, fusing theatre, music and movement.” The work premiered at Aviva Studios in Manchester on Sunday (April 27), and will run through May 18, before heading to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford  from June 4 until June 28. “Hamlet was not in our minds when we made the record,” Yorke stated. “I don’t not subscribe to the synchronicity thing. You know, the one about The Wizard of Oz and Dark Side of the Moon; you watch a movie, turn the sound down, put on another soundtrack and something is revealed. But, obviously, my initial reaction was, this is Hamlet, therefore it’s sacrosanct, it’s untouchable. You can’t. But the idea didn’t go away. It planted a little seed in my head.” (NME)