Royal Shakespeare Company’s ”Hamnet” – rehearsal images released
© The RSC / Manuel Harlan
Opening in Stratford-upon-Avon next month, the show follows an imagined reality for Agnes/Anne Hathaway, wife of the man who would end up being the most famous playwright of the millennium.
Taking on the role of Agnes Hathaway is Madeleine Mantock (Blithe Spirit), who will appear alongside Tom Varey (A Taste of Honey) as William Shakespeare and Peter Wight (Rosmersholm) as John/Will Kempe.
Completing the cast are Sarah Belcher (Joan), Will Brown (Burbage/Father John), Haydn Burke (Ensemble), Ajani Cabey (Hamnet/Thomas Day), Faye Campbell (Ensemble), Frankie Hastings (Eliza), Karl Haynes (Ned), Alex Jarrett (Judith), Hannah McPake (Jude), Rose Riley (Tilly/Caterina), Elizabeth Rider (Mary), Harmony Rose-Bremner (Susanna) and Obioma Ugoala (Bartholomew).
Written by Lolita Chakrabarti and directed by the RSC’s acting artistic director Erica Whyman, the production also features set and costume design by Tom Piper, lighting by Prema Mehta, sound by Xana, music by Oğuz Kaplangi, casting by Amy Ball CDG, movement by Ayse Tashkiran and fight direction by Kate Waters.
Hamnet runs from 1 April to 17 June at the Swan Theatre, ahead of a West End transfer to the Garrick Theatre (30 September 2023 to 6 January 2024).
