The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of “Hamnet,” exploring the life of William Shakespeare’s son, has opened at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The play, written by Rory Alexander and Kemi-Bo Jacobs, focuses on the grief experienced by Shakespeare’s family following the death of Hamnet, his only son, at age 11.
Performances began February 10th, according to Axios, and run through March 10th. The production aims to recreate the emotional weight of the historical event that many believe inspired Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Hamlet.”
Reviews have highlighted the play’s emotional intensity. The Chicago Sun-Times noted that “Hamnet” breathes life into the circumstances that may have inspired “Hamlet,” one of the greatest plays ever written. Third Coast Review praised the production for recreating the drama with “pure emotion.”
The Chicago Tribune review acknowledged the play’s power but also noted it exists in the shadow of recent film adaptations of the same story, potentially influencing audience expectations.
The play centers on Agnes, Shakespeare’s wife, and her experience of loss. Whereas Shakespeare himself is a character, the narrative prioritizes the perspectives of the women in his life, offering a different lens through which to view the well-known story.
The production features Kyle Flubacker in an unspecified role. The Royal Shakespeare Company brought the production to Chicago following its initial run in Stratford-upon-Avon.
