Theatre fans queue round the block to see (or not to see) Hamlet

Hamlet fans have proved the play's truly the thing, as they have been queuing at dawn in a desperate bid for tickets.

Unprecedented numbers of people have been lining up in the cold each morning to see Michael Sheen in the critically acclaimed production, despite the fact it has been on for three months.

And it is almost their last chance to see it as the show closes tomorrow.

Today more than 30 people were queuing from as early as 5.30am outside the Young Vic theatre in Southwark in the hope of getting hold of £10 "day tickets" to see tonight's performance.

About 20 to 30 tickets were going on sale at 9.30am depending on how many had been returned. Friends Emily Yates, 21, and Charlie O'Leary, 20, from Indiana in the United States, both studying in Waterloo, were among them.

Miss Yates said: "Everyone back home told us we have to go, it's such an important production." Sam Smullen, 23, an IT consultant from Holloway, who was first in the queue, said: "You are only young once, so why not do something crazy like this?

"I am desperate to see this play. I think theatre should be enjoyed by more people, which is why these tickets being available is great."

A spokeswoman for the theatre puts the success of the Young Vic during the financial crisis down to cheap tickets and high-calibre shows.

She added: "It's great to see so many young people queuing for the theatre."