December 30, 2025 | Theatre,

Hamnet’s Original 2018 ArtsEmerson Run!

Have you seen Chloe Zhao’s latest film, Hamnet, starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley? This new movie, based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel of the same name, explores the relationship between William Shakespeare and his wife Anne following the tragic and sudden death of their son, Hamnet, and how this death would go on to inspire Shakespeare’s creation of one of the most famous plays of all time: Hamlet.

However, this movie is not the first time Hamlet Shakespeare has been depicted in media! In September 2018, ArtsEmerson staged a production of Hamnet, which came to the U.S. from Ireland’s Dead Centre Theater Company. This season-opener (and U.S. premiere) featured a young Hamnet, forced to confront what it means to be great and how to navigate when ambition clashes with family responsibilities.

The show was a hit in Boston, with audiences calling it “stunning,” “gorgeous,” and “brilliantly performed and staged.” In particular, theater-goers loved the performances given by the two young actors who played Hament, Ollie West and Aran Murphy (son of Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy). Check out the video below to see why audiences loved Hamnet so much!