Theatre Review: Hamnet at The Garrick, Royal Shakespeare Company

Shortly before settling in to watch the Royal Shakespeare Company’s rendition of Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet, news of a bereavement reached me. As I immersed myself in this re-imagining of Agnes, William Shakespeare’s wife, the performance struck a profoundly human chord.

 Lolita Chakrabarti’s adaptation delves into domestic life and our innate resilience in the face of grief's deepest pangs. The haunting words, ‘He is dead and gone, lady, he is dead and gone,’ lingered, guided us through plague-stricken Warwickshire, where a playwright and his unlettered wife play out a love that was both unconventional and domestic, layered with intricate narratives.

Evoking the sprawling universe of a Shakespearean family is no small feat, yet here we are granted an intimate glimpse into 16th-century life

The notion of home takes centre stage in both the dramaturgy and scenography. Anne (Agnes) Hathaway, a woman at ease in nature, a seer and herbalist, finds her counterpart in Will, a writer yearning to escape his birthplace and the admonishments of his father.

Following their union, Anne and Will settle in the annex of the family abode, fashioned in the shape of an ‘A’, an architectural motif that informs the stage design. Evoking the sprawling universe of a Shakespearean family is no small feat, yet here we are granted an intimate glimpse into 16th-century life, thanks to the simple yet effective stage design by Tom Piper.

We yearn for more, but sadly, we witness the premature snuffing out of this young life.

The narrative gains momentum and emotional heft in the second half, with the introduction of Hamnet. The very foundations of their relationship are tested, tossed about, and ultimately woven back together. Hamnet and his twin Judith (portrayed by Ajani Cabey and Alex Jarrett, respectfully) infuse scenes with exuberant joy, injecting a fresh vitality into the production before we witness the family torn asunder by grief. For me, the acting star was Madeleine Mantock for her gut-stirring portrayal of Agnes—a nuanced, captivating, and authentic depiction of a grieving mother. With this actor, we embark on an emotional odyssey, experiencing every sentiment in lockstep with her.

Hamnet emanates a gentle yet potent energy, wielding raw emotion and profound thematic resonance. It stands as a poignant reminder of the significance of family, love, and the authenticity of human experiences. Above all, it underscores the value of our individual narratives, each one deserving of being shared, penned, and etched into memory, much like the tales of Hamnet and Shakespeare's Hamlet.

For more information and bookings, please visit the RSC’s website