Feb 13, 2026 - Culture

"Hamnet" arrives at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Monica Eng

A man with dark curly hair and beige shirt holds a sword behind a woman with curly hair and calm expression, set against a textured, faded background with floral and smoky elements. — Rory Alexander plays William Shakespeare and Kemi-Bo Jacobs plays wife Agnes or Ann Hathaway in the Royal Shakespeare Company's "Hamnet." Photo: Courtesy of Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Fans of the 2025 film "Hamnet" may know it's up for eight Oscars next month — but they may not know about a theatrical version making its U.S. debut at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater this week, courtesy of England's Royal Shakespeare Company.

Catch up quick: Both the film and play draw from Maggie O' Farrell's best-selling "Hamnet" novel that explores Shakespeare's family life in Stratford, re-imagining his little-known wife Ann Hathaway as Agnes, an herbal healer and falconer.

The story follows the couple's early passion, growing conflicts and crushing loss of their son Hamnet (a derivation of Hamlet).

Zoom in: If 1998's "Shakespeare in Love" explored the bard's romances, "Hamnet" takes a darker look at the playwright's grief as he struggles with death and responsibility to his family.

This RSC production offers spare staging but heart-wrenching performances from a multi-racial cast that delights and devastates. Kemi-Bo Jacobs shines as Agnes.

If you go: "Hamnet" runs at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater through March 8. Tickets start at $58.

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"Hamnet" arrives at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

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