DESPITE being Shakespeare's most performed play, Hamlet has never been staged at Southamp-ton's only producing theatre - until now.

Later this month, the classic tragedy finally makes its debut at the Nuffield Theatre, with a lavish new production featuring a cast of experienced actors led by Stephen Noonan as the tortured Danish prince.

Nuffield artistic director Patrick Sandford is directing the show, following his acclaimed productions of The Tempest and Much Ado About Nothing, which won him a prestigious award for Best Director.

The production team have come up with some original ideas for presenting the play, which tells the story of a young prince's struggle to avenge his murdered father.

Designer Robin Don's modernist set will feature a chessboard-style carpet of black and white checks and a "letterbox" feature on the back wall of the stage to allow projections of dramatic skyscapes.

Adding a touch of topicality, the Players who perform the play within the play will emerge from a David Blaine-style perspex box.

Don has also designed the costumes for the production, putting the male characters in Armani suits and the military in Danish guardsmen's uniforms, with a Russian influence and fur hats.

The show also promises some breathtaking action sequences, with expert fight director Paul Benzing drafted to co-ordinate the play's dramatic climax.

As well as RSC actor Noonan, the cast includes experienced TV actor John Woodvine as Polonius and Ben Caplan as Horatio.

You can see Hamlet at the Nuffield from October 16 to November 15. Box office: 023 8067 1771.