From Academy Award® winning writer/director Chloé Zhao, HAMNET tells the powerful story of love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet. Our community reviewer, Val Ruloff was delighted with the film and the extraordinary performances. Read her review below ...

To be, or not to be.... that is the question"...

Beautiful! That is not in question. Stunning production from beginning to end. I was held rapt- mesmerised by everything as it unfolded before me on the screen.

There is a poetic symmetry about the film and production and script overall. Indeed, William Shakespeare's own words, language and expression are there to speak for themselves in the most eloquent and unique form of sumptuous speech that we could possibly ask for! Complete music to the ears- a joy!

The film is based on the award-winning book by Maggie O' Farrell, published nearly six years ago- with screenplay written by Maggie O' Farrell and Chloé Zhao, the Director of the film. Steven Spielberg is part of the production team. The story is a dramatic, part historical and biographical, part imagined account of William Shakespeare's life with his wife, Agnes- or Anne- Hathaway, and his family. Hamnet is their son, whom they tragically lose when he is eleven years of age after becoming fatally ill with the bubonic plague. 

Quotes from "Nine Herbs Charm" dating back to Anglo-Saxon times are in the mix, lending mysterious and strange elements associated with herbal medicines and remedies and the power of nature.

Hamnet is superbly cast- featuring extraordinary performances by Jessie Buckley as Agnes Shakespeare and Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare. The plaudits showered upon the leading actors are more than well-earned, with excellent support from Emily Watson as Mary Shakespeare, Joe Alwyn as Bartholomew Hathaway and Noah Jupe who plays Hamlet in the Hamlet play featured. The youth performers merit special credit, each giving their performance with distinct aplomb. Jacobi Jupe plays Hamnet Shakespeare, Olivia Lynes appears as Judith Shakespeare and Bodhi Rae Breathnach plays Susanna Shakespeare.

Much of the production took place in Wales, filming was located in Herefordshire, England and featured Weobley village. The Charterhouse in London features as significant location, whilst the Globe theatre is replicated. The photography is exceptional- gorgeous scenes, flowing with beauty. Symbolism and themes are woven together marvellously. The deep, dark cavernous holes, pits and caves of the woods and forests- are thereafter reproduced on the theatre stage. Hands reaching out to touch and to hold are threaded through the fabric of the film, as are Hamnet's haunting words about swordplay and being on stage with his father.

The story is absorbing, portraying something more to be imagined about the life and experience of William Shakespeare and the elusive Agnes Hathaway. The narrative is extremely moving and emotional. I had maintained a healthy scepticism about how affected I might be, after hearing much publicity promoting this aspect! Suffice to say that I was glued to the screen- with tears coursing down my cheeks. The subject matter resonates with the very core of basic humanity and experience- the themes are existential and the portrayal of events absolutely visceral at times. The evocation of the age and era is accomplished very effectively and the film is bathed in atmosphere. The sound and musical score also plays an integral and effective part in conveying the storyline events. Some of the historical touches are a real delight, including family history detail such as the children and their places in the family, homes- including reference to the "new house in Stratford", as well as the authenticity of the school room.

Perhaps the last word can be spoken by the master wordsmith himself...

"To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there's the rub:

For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,

When we have shuffled off this mortal coil."

Hamnet can be seen on the Torch Theatre screen tonight, Thursday 12 February at 7.45pm. Click here to book your tickets.