Hamnet

We were at the RSC again, but this time , thank goodness , and Chrispybox will be delighted to hear this, we thoroughly enjoyed the performance. It’s another Lolita Chakrabarti production ( after Life of Pi on Saturday), this time of Maggie O’ Farrell’s novel about the Shakespeare family. If you’ve read the novel you’ll know it jumps about in time , but the play runs chronologically and the critics have mentioned this as a reason why it doesn’t fully resonate emotionally. Only 3 *

Well , I having read the novel , thought it did pull on the emotions, and was fully invested in the characters, feeling their anguish and grief. R, having not read the book, also enjoyed it as a standalone play , and a fascinating insight into Shakespeare’s life. I’m trying not to give any plot spoilers :)

Clever staging, actors that fitted the role and authentic period costume ( none of this modern dress!) really helped with the atmosphere.