Hamnet North American Premiere at Alley Theatre

**For Immediate Release**

**Alley Theatre to Host North American Premiere of Acclaimed “Hamnet” This October**

HOUSTON, TX – The Alley Theatre is set to deliver a deeply moving theatrical event this fall with the North American premiere of “Hamnet,” a powerful new play adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti from Maggie O’Farrell’s celebrated 2020 novel. Audiences will have a unique opportunity to experience the heartbreaking true story that is theorized to have inspired one of Shakespeare’s most iconic tragedies.

“Hamnet” will open its limited run on **Thursday, October 10, 2024**, and continue through **Sunday, October 20, 2024**, at the **Alley Theatre’s Hubbard Theatre, located at 615 Texas Avenue in downtown Houston.** Performances are scheduled **Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.**, with additional **2:30 p.m. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.**

Directed by Erica Schmidt, “Hamnet” transports audiences to Stratford-upon-Avon in the late 16th century, exploring the rarely seen private life of William Shakespeare and, more profoundly, the devastating impact of the plague on his family. The play centers on the tragic loss of his 11-year-old son, Hamnet, in 1596, and the profound grief that rippled through his household. It masterfully weaves the historical account with the widely held theory that this personal calamity deeply influenced Shakespeare’s subsequent creation of his masterpiece, *Hamlet*, just a few years later.

Central to the narrative is Agnes Hathaway (often known as Anne Hathaway), Hamnet’s mother and Shakespeare’s wife. The play offers a humanizing and vivid portrait of Agnes, a woman often relegated to the footnotes of history, depicting her journey through passionate love, unimaginable loss, and the enduring power of memory and resilience.

The source material, Maggie O’Farrell’s novel “Hamnet,” was a literary sensation, earning the prestigious Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2020 and captivating readers worldwide with its lyrical prose and rich historical detail. Lolita Chakrabarti, an Olivier Award-winning playwright celebrated for her adaptation of Yann Martel’s “Life of Pi,” has masterfully translated O’Farrell’s intricate narrative and emotional depth to the stage, making it a compelling theatrical experience.

This particular production arrives in Houston with an impressive pedigree, having had its critically acclaimed world premiere with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in Stratford-upon-Avon in April 2023. Following its successful run there, it transferred to London’s Garrick Theatre, where it continued to garner widespread critical praise for its powerful storytelling, stunning performances, and profound emotional resonance. The Alley Theatre is honored to bring this high-caliber, RSC-originated production to North American audiences for the very first time.

“We are incredibly proud to bring the North American premiere of ‘Hamnet’ to Houston,” states Rob Melrose, Artistic Director of the Alley Theatre. “This play is a magnificent achievement, exploring universal themes of love, loss, and the enduring human spirit through the lens of one of history’s most enigmatic figures and the family he cherished. It’s a testament to the power of theatre to illuminate the past and resonate deeply with contemporary audiences.”

Tickets for “Hamnet” start at **$29** and are available for purchase directly through the Alley Theatre’s official website at **AlleyTheatre.org** or by calling the box office at **713-220-5700**. Given its status as a highly anticipated North American premiere, combined with the universal appeal and emotional depth of its story, securing seats early is strongly recommended for what promises to be a deeply moving and unforgettable theatrical experience.