Hamnet
Hamnet is a heartwarming and heartbreaking exploration of family, loss, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive.
Playwright Lola Chakrabarti
Why see Hamnet?
US Premiere
Hamnet, son of William Shakespeare, steps out from the shadow created by his famous father in the Royal Shakespeare Company's stage adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's best-selling novel, making its US premiere at Chicago's Shakespeare Theatre in winter 2026. Adapted by Lola Chakrabarti, Hamnet gives a voice to one of Shakespeare's greatest lost creations, through his own eyes and those of his oft-forgotten mother, Agnes.
Hamnet
Dying at 11 years old in 1596 in Stratford whilst his father was enjoying the height of his fame in London, scholars speculate that Hamnet likely didn't get to know his famous father very well, a theme that can be picked up on in Shakespeare's later writings. When Hamlet was published in 1599, it was widely thought that the name was a tribute to his late son.
With little known about the real child, Maggie O'Farrell's book creates a lyrical narrative for Hamnet that explores his short life, and those of the women around him.
Key Information
Run Time
Two hours 30 minutes including intermission
Dates
Finished Mar 8
Cast
- Kemi-Bo Jacobs as Agnes
- Rory Alexander as William
- Troy Alexander as Bartholomew
- Nigel Barrett as John and William Kempe
- Ajani Cabey as Hamnet
- Saffron Dey as Judith
- Victoria Elliott as Joan and Elizabeth Condell
- Heather Forster as Eliza
- Karl Haynes as Ned, Henry Condell and Physician
- Ava Hinds Jones as Susanna
- Nicki Hobday as Jude and Physician's Wife
- Penny Layden as Mary
- Matilda McCarthy as Tilly, Caterina, and Will's Landlady
- Bert Seymour as Burbage and Father John
Further cast
Understudies Haydn Burke and Thalia Gambe
Please note: The producers can't guarantee the appearance of any performers on any specific date.
Creative
- Based on the novel by Maggie O'Farrell
- Adapted by Lola Chakrabarti
- Directed by Erica Whyman
- Costume design by Tom Piper
- Lighting by Prema Mehta
- Sound design by Simon Baker
- Music by Oguz Kaplangi
- Movement by Ayse Tashkiran
- Fight direction by Kate Waters
Reviews
Customer reviews
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