If you happen to be in London this week then you may want to head to The Cockpit this week to check out the show Space Hamlet. The show is a musical that reimagines Shakespeare’s most iconic tragedy with a cosmic twist. I spoke to Dan Sturmand & R.C Staab to find out all about it.
Hello! Tell us about yourself?
We are R.C. Staab, a New York–based playwright, librettist, and lyricist and UK-based co-creator and composer, Daniel Sturman, who despite living an ocean apart, have spent more than 16 years writing and collaborating on musicals that have been produced in New York City and the UK.
Dan Sturman is a composer-lyricist and design professional based in Norwich. As a solo writer his Yippee-Ki-Yay: A Musical Parody For The Die Hard Fans had its second regional mini-tour this January. Aside from writing the show, Dan has also been responsible for the website for Space Hamlet, the scenery and all the Space-Viking-Retro props the show has called for. Outside of theatre, R.C. is a travel journalist and author, often writing about London for an American audience.
Together, we love taking high-concept, genre-bending ideas—like our previous FringeNYC hit Zombie Wedding—and building them into full-throttle musical comedies. We have exciting new musical in development that should be produced in 2027 regionally and heading to London after that. We both have active jobs outside of theatre but nothing beats the adrenaline of creating brand-new, original musical theatre and seeing them performed before an audience.
Tell us a bit about Space Hamlet
Imagine Shakespeare’s classic tragedy launched into deep space, powered by a David Bowie–inspired 70s glam rock score. Set in the distant Denmark System ruled by space Vikings, Prince Hamlet embarks on a cosmic quest for revenge against his uncle Claudius. It’s got everything: gladiator pits, Norse hammers, space misfits, a golden robot and Muppet-like alien puppets running amok. Everyone still dies, but there are a lot more laughs along the way!
How are rehearsals going?
Rehearsals are going great. Almost all the cast from the sell-out 2025 production are returning, and that gives us the luxury to build on what was great before and make it stellar.
We’re adding more choreography, hitting some emotional beats with more emphasis and revisiting some music and sound cues. The Cockpit is also a superior venue at a technical level which has opened up a new world of creative possibilities where it comes to blocking, lighting and stage effects.
If you look at our @SpaceHamletMusical videos on Instagram and TikTok, you’ll see some of our efforts to upgrade the show from our original production.
What can you tell us about the stage set?
Designed by Dan, the set is a lighting-up, moving, spinning pile of space rocks fashioned to resemble a futuristic but ancient space-viking palace. Dan has been busying away with texture paint and soldering LEDs every spare hour he can find. It will be an impressive set for the space and really help sell the high concept world.
Tell us a little bit about the rest of the cast
We have a phenomenal cast of eight powerhouse performers: Nic Gordon leads as Hamlet, with Lucas Fox as Claudius, Ruby Bardwell-Dix as Ophelia, Amy Beven doubling as Horatio and a green alien Polonius, Shem Jacobs as King Ham, Lauren Bryant as Gertrude, Elle Overvoorde as Laertes (who also made puppets for the show!) and Lewis Aves as Fortinbras. They sing, act, manipulate puppets and handle endless quick changes without missing a beat.
What is the most challenging thing about doing the show?
It’s a very full show. it’s a full two act rock musical – 18 songs including big solos and company numbers. There are dozens of characters, human and puppets, all this by a very hard working cast of eight. There must be 50 costume changes, not to mention sword fights, moving scenery and all manner of projections, magical props and such.
There are times when we have characters backstage changing into a two-part puppet monster while singing the backing vocals to a song on stage. The most challenging thing about this show is it’s constant high energy and fullness of ambition. It makes it a rich show, but those actors are working hard.
The best thing about touring the show?
We don’t really think of this as touring the show. Rather, we’re taking what we learned from our initial sold-out run in Norwich, fining tuning and upping our game to reach a new audience at The Cockpit Theatre in London, which is larger and more technically advanced.
We can really bring a whole new theatrical experience with more imaginative puppetry, props and lighting, while maintaining what we think is solid comic, but mostly straightforward take on Hamlet. You don’t have to like Shakespeare or really know anything about Hamlet at all to enjoy the show. Is Hamlet really that different from Luke Skywalker?
What have been some of the best highlights since doing the show?
One major highlight was our song “Let My Love Be” being named a finalist for England’s Best New Song Contest. And every night, two of female leads stop the show with “The Game,” a modern look at how women in another era are ignored and disregarded by their warring husbands, lovers and family.
What is the best reaction you have had from an audience member?
A favourite review quote that summed it up perfectly was: “Everyone still dies, but there are a lot more laughs along the way”. We’ve also had audience members tell us it reminds them of Operation Mincemeat and Avenue Q which we think is a real complement.
If people want to follow you on social media where can they find you?
Head over to SpaceHamletMusical.com or follow us on Instagram/TikTok @spacehamletmusical and @rcstaab.
Finally in three words why should people come to your show?
Glam. Sci-Fi. Shakespeare!
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