First look: Hamnet in London’s West End – photos

Production photos for the West End premiere of Hamnet have been released.

The RSC’s acclaimed adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet began preview performances at the Garrick Theatre last week, 30 September, and will have an official opening night on 12 October 2023.

Due to overwhelming demand, the show recently extended (Hamnet extends) its run at the Garrick Theatre by 6-weeks and will now play to 17 February 2024.

Maggie O’Farrell’s much-loved novel is adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright Lolita Chakrabarti, whose writing credits include Red Velvet, Invisible Cities, Hymn, The Goddess and the award-winning stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s Booker Prize winning novel Life of Pi (winner of five Olivier awards including Best New Play, 2022)

Hamnet pulls back the curtain on the story of William Shakespeare, the greatest writer in the English language, and the woman who was the constant presence and purpose of his life. The cast is led by Madeleine Mantock (Agnes Hathaway) and Tom Varey (William Shakespeare).

The full cast includes Gabriel Akuwudike (Bartholomew), Sarah Belcher (Joan), Will Brown (Burbage/Father John), Ajani Cabey (Hamnet/Thomas Day), Phoebe Campbell (Susanna), Mhairi Gayer (Tilly/Caterina/Landlady), Frankie Hastings (Eliza), Karl Haynes (Ned/Physician/Condell), Alex Jarrett(Judith), Hannah McPake (Jude/Physician’s Wife), Liza Sadovy(Mary) and Peter Wight (John/Will Kempe). Haydn Burke and Faye Campbell complete the cast as off-stage understudies.

Directed by Erica Whyman, the play features design by Tom Piper, lighting by Prema Mehta, sound by Simon Baker, music by Oğuz Kaplangi, casting by Amy Ball CDG and movement by Ayse Tashkiran.

Hamnet is produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and Neal Street Productions, in association with Hera Pictures.

Book Hamnet tickets at the Garrick Theatre in London