Critically Acclaimed Play 'Hamnet' Opens in Chicago
What happened
The theatrical production of 'Hamnet,' based on the novel exploring William Shakespeare's family life, is now playing at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The play is being praised for its "elegant and beguiling" staging and its contemporary exploration of grief and family dynamics.
Why it matters
- The play is a production of the Royal Shakespeare Company and is making its U.S. premiere with the Chicago engagement before it travels to Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. - It is adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's 2020 novel of the same name, which won the prestigious Women's Prize for Fiction and the National Book Critics Circle Award. - The adaptation was written by Lolita Chakrabarti, an award-winning playwright also known for her successful stage version of 'Life of Pi'. - The story centers on William Shakespeare's wife, Agnes (often known as Anne) Hathaway, a natural healer, and imagines the devastating impact of their 11-year-old son Hamnet's death from the plague. - Prior to its U.S. tour, the production had a sold-out run in Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, where it broke box office records, followed by a transfer to London's Garrick Theatre in the West End. - The U.S. premiere in Chicago features Kemi-Bo Jacobs as Agnes and Rory Alexander as William, with some cast members reprising their roles from the original Royal Shakespeare Company production. - A film adaptation of the novel is also in development, co-written by the book's author Maggie O'Farrell and directed by Chloé Zhao, with Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley attached to star.
Key numbers
- It is adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's 2020 novel of the same name, which won the prestigious Women's Prize for Fiction and the National Book Critics Circle Award.
- The story centers on William Shakespeare's wife, Agnes (often known as Anne) Hathaway, a natural healer, and imagines the devastating impact of their 11-year-old son Hamnet's death from the plague.
Quick answers
What happened in Critically Acclaimed Play 'Hamnet' Opens in Chicago?
The theatrical production of 'Hamnet,' based on the novel exploring William Shakespeare's family life, is now playing at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The play is being praised for its "elegant and beguiling" staging and its contemporary exploration of grief and family dynamics.
Why does Critically Acclaimed Play 'Hamnet' Opens in Chicago matter?
The play is a production of the Royal Shakespeare Company and is making its U.S. premiere with the Chicago engagement before it travels to Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. It is adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's 2020 novel of the same name, which won the prestigious Women's Prize for Fiction and the National Book Critics Circle Award. The adaptation was written by Lolita Chakrabarti, an award-winning playwright also known for her successful stage version of 'Life of Pi'. The story centers on William Shakespeare's wife, Agnes (often known as Anne) Hathaway, a natural healer, and imagines the devastating impact of their 11-year-old son Hamnet's death from the plague. Prior to its U.S. tour, the production had a sold-out run in Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, where it broke box office records, followed by a transfer to London's Garrick Theatre in the West End. The U.S. premiere in Chicago features Kemi-Bo Jacobs as Agnes and Rory Alexander as William, with some cast members reprising their roles from the original Royal Shakespeare Company production. A film adaptation of the novel is also in development, co-written by the book's author Maggie O'Farrell and directed by Chloé Zhao, with Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley attached to star.
