The Fourth Walsh

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the US premiere of HAMNET by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Agnes is a free spirit. William is a Latin tutor. They fall in love, get married and have a family. Author Maggie O’Farrell imagines the woman left behind in Stratford as the playwright pursued an extraordinary fate in London. Who was Mrs. Shakespeare? What was her influence on The Bard’s legendary works. O’Farrell wrote the best-selling novel that became an Oscar-nominated movie and now is adapted for stage by Lolita Chakrabarti.

O’Farrell’s novel centered on Agnes. The nature lover turned village healer. She has visions and sees the future for her children and her husband. O’Farrell makes Agnes the focal point. She barely features the name ‘Shakespeare’. Instead she refers to him as ‘the husband’ or ‘the Latin tutor.’ In the movie by Chloe Zhao and O’Farrell, Will gets more attention especially as a family man. Joyous scenes show the family playing together in between his stints to London. In the play version, Chakrabarti’s script gives The Bard more attention. Not surprising for a company bearing his name, Will and his King’s Men get stage time. Although Zhao and Chakrabarti’s approaches differ, the important similarity is Agnes finally gets a voice and a presence aside the literary icon.          

Director Erica Whyman stages the show on versatile wooden scaffolding. Tom Piper designed a set that effortlessly shifts from cottage in the country to the stage at Globe Theatre. The framework hints at these unfinished lives are in progress. It provides space for the children -not yet born – to be seen as visions by Agnes (played by Kemi-Bo Jacobs). A passionate Jacobs brings raw emotion to her performance. Whether delivering or grieving a child, Jacobs’ cries of pain are guttural and visceral.

Jacobs and Rory Alexander (William) find connection in their unhappiness. She has an oppressive step mother. He has a cruel and disappointed father. Their love is an escape route to a home and a life they create together and separately. Jacobs and Alexander perfectly capture the aching need to be loved and understood. Initially, it’s playfully heat. Later, it’s respect and resignation.

The entire ensemble are terrific often playing multiple parts with distinction. Nigel Barrett plays brutish father in Stratford and pivots to high-spirited actor in London. Ajani Cabey is both Hamnet and Hamlet. Cabey plays a sweet brother trying to take care of his sick sister. Hamnet’s actions inspire his father to create the enduring character of Hamlet. Cabey then gets to deliver the powerful soliloquy as Hamlet in the final scene. And nod out to the quiet and steadfast Troy Alexander (Bartholomew). He delivers the drama and comedy in a singular line or action.

O’Farrell’s story is thought-provokingly clever. How does a glove maker’s son become the most revered writer for 400+ years? HAMNET tells the origin story of genius. It imagines the influence of unconditional love and family on plays that have endured cross centuries. HAMNET is now available in three variations: book, movie, play. I recommend enjoying them all!             

Running Time: Two hours and forty minutes includes an intermission

At Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier

Based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell

Adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti

Directed by Erica Whyman

Performances are:

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7pm

Wednesdays at 1pm

Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm

Thru March 8

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Kyle Flubacker

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