The Barbican is an excellent theatre

I hereby admit that I’d previously never been to the Barbican theatre and because of that I’m a philistine. But if like me, you’ve never walked the hallowed brutalist carpet of EC1’s premier theatre, you should do so as soon as possible. Not least because when the shiny brass doors automatically shut ready for the performance, it feels like you’re in a space ship.

There are more famous people in the cast than Benedict

OK, so admittedly, he’s a superstar, and very good he is too. But he’s not the only famous face in the cast. Ciaran Hinds (of Julius Caesar in Rome and Mance Raydar in Game of Thrones fame) is Claudius (evil uncle) and Karl Johnson who played Thomas ‘Twister’ Turrell in Larkrise to Candleford is Hamlet’s ghostly dad. And then there’s Anastasia Hille, who once had a main part in one of my favourite episodes of Lewis, but I fear that may be too niche a reference for most of you.

Sky Arts is putting on £10 tickets

Sonia Friedman productions in sponsored_longform with Sky Arts are practically giving away tickets every day. If you’re organised, that is. Each day, 30 £10 tickets will be released for sale in person. They’re sold at the advance ticket desk from 10.30am. There is also a limited number of tickets still available online. Go, go, go!

Hamlet is showing at the Barbican until 31st October.

Four reasons to see Hamlet that have nothing to do with Benedict Cumberbatch