An after-hours audio journey through Hampton Court Palace
Experience Hampton Court Palace like never before with the world premiere of Still The Hours, an exclusive after-hours journey behind closed doors.
As twilight falls, hear echoes of women who lived or worked in the palace over 500 years ago. Imagine if walls could talk, whose voices might we hear? Wander some of the palace's iconic rooms in small groups of 11, guided by a richly woven soundscape that breathes life into the palace and listens into its secret.
The immersive audio experience reveals hidden lives of women, from a suffragette to a mistress, a queen to a maid: moments of survival and resilience, the mundane and the remarkable. Innovative storytelling combines binaural headphone audio with a bespoke sound environment in our historic spaces.
This unforgettable event has been developed by an award-winning artistic team in consultation with advisors from the visually impaired community.
With a strictly limited run, don't miss this unique experience that will stay with you forever.
When
Wednesday 19 March - Sunday 30 March 2025
Entry from 18:00 - 20:30Ticketing information
Member discount available.
Separate ticket (advance booking required)
Buy Still The Hours tickets Buy members only tickets
Visit and access information
About the experience
- The walking experience takes approximately one hour.
- Suitable for those aged 14+; under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. The production contains adult themes of death, baby loss and the threat of violence.
- There will be one relaxed performance at 19:00 on Sunday 30 March. To book, email info@hrp.org.uk.
- Throughout the experience, visitors will be walking through almost dark rooms, only dimly lit.
- Headphones are worn throughout the experience.
Access
- There are two opportunities to sit down for a duration of 4-5 minutes.
- There are two staircases of about 30 steps, and uneven surfaces on the route.
- Mobility Access tickets are available for a staff-assisted lift journey (limited availability).
- For members who require a Mobility Access ticket, please contact members@hrp.org.uk directly to book.
- Audiences requiring further access support should arrange to attend with a companion and book a free companion ticket in advance.
- Please note, due to strictly limited group sizes and timed soundscape, mobility access support or companion tickets may not be available if you have not pre-booked.
- Audio description of the palace route will be available in March 2025.
How to contact us
- Please get in touch with us to discuss your access needs further. You can contact our team on Tel: 0333 320 6000 (Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 14:00) or via email to info@hrp.org.uk
Frequently asked questions
- See FAQs for more information, including accessibility.
Creative team
Written and directed by Claire Doherty
Co-created with composer James Bulley
Lighting Design: Emma Chapman
Sound Design and Music: James Bulley
Sound Systems Design: Simon Hendry
Dramaturg and access consultant: Kaite O’Reilly
Technical Direction: Artists & Engineers
Photos: Ali Wright
Cast
Giorgia Ciampi, Mary Doherty, Ayesha Dharker, Olive Gray, Kathryn Hunter, Molly Jenkins, Miranda Richardson, Kate Sissons
Ensemble
Members of the Rose Youth Theatre Kingston: Mahmoud Ali, Hannah Casati, Sara Fatihi, Hannah Grigg, Electra Jackson, Emily Kearney, Jana Maklad, Jasmine Proctor-Tarabanov, Amelia Sandy, Issy Skinner, Amelie Tu, Abigail Woodward.
The ensemble cast includes over 50 current female staff of Hampton Court Palace.
Singers
Havva Bulley, Polly Hunt, Lori Secanska, Yarlinie Thana, Emily Wasp
A House Dog production for Historic Royal Palaces.
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