Isango Ensemble

Grief, betrayal and revenge. The search for truth carries a deadly cost....

Tickets are on-sale now for our next production!

Join us for a striking new staging of ‘The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Shakespeare’s First Quarto' - a shorter, rarely performed version of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Told with striking differences in structure, dialogue and character names, the story unfolds with compelling theatrical energy, combining powerful storytelling with live music, song and movement.

A kingdom is unsettled. The King of Denmark is dead, his brother now wears the crown, and Prince Hamlet is left grieving - and suspicious. When the ghost of his father appears with a terrible revelation, Hamlet is drawn into a dangerous quest for truth and revenge. As secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, the royal court becomes a place of spies, deception and growing madness. Hamlet must decide how to act in a world that no longer feels certain.

Directed by Mark Dornford-May and performed by our all-County Durham cast in our immersive venue, The Playhouse in Horden, Shakespeare’s gripping tale is staged once more, providing a fresh perspective on the familiar story.

📍 The Playhouse, South Terrace, Horden, County Durham, SR8 4NQ
📅 Dates: May 26th – June 6th, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM (Evenings), 2:30 PM (Matinees) (7pm, 28th May)
⚠️ Advisory: May contain flashing lights, loud music and strong language.

🎟️ Tickets £10-20 (Age restriction advised 12+) → Book now at https://www.ensemble84.com/first-quarto-hamlet/ or call 0191 300 4340

Don’t miss this extraordinary production. Join us at The Playhouse in Horden from 26th May – 6th June

Culture Durham Redhills Durham Into the Light

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

We've got a corking line up of shows coming this Autumn/Winter & these are some of the brilliant highlights that will take to our stage 👀 ⬇️
🎭 Bad Lads in assoc. with Graeae created from the testimonies of the Medomsley Boys
🤣 Metroland Comedy with their brand new sharp & surreal comedy show
🎭 Mother Courage & Her Children from Ensemble '84 & Isango Ensemble with a story of survival, sacrifice, & the devastating cost of conflict
🎭 Big Ange by Jamie Alexander Eastlake
Blue jeans, a whistle, & a Neil Diamond playlist — Big Ange, the dinner lady has got this.
🎭 debbie tucker green - a celebration of one of our most important Black British playwrights
🎭 Where Do All The Kittiwakes Go At Christmas? A wintry tale that will have the whole family squawking with laughter!
Get your 🎟️ asap at https://www.live.org.uk/

We hope those who were able to go enjoyed it!