Breaking Baz: The stage version of Maggie O’Farrell’s “Hamnet” became a phenomenon even before it opened; Transfer from Stratford-upon-Avon to London’s West End revealed

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s stage adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestseller Hamneta tale of love and heartbreak about Agnes Hathaway and her lover William Shakespeare, has taken the unheralded step of announcing its move to the West End before it even begins in the famous playwright’s hometown.

The play edited by Lolita Chakrabarti – whose version of life of pi is on Broadway – directed by Erica Whyman and starring Madeleine Mantock (Charmed, age for beauty) will perform at the Swan Theater in Stratford-upon-Avon from 1 April to 17 June.

But after a “tsunami” of interest from eager ticket buyers, the show will be postponed for 14 weeks after its run in Stratford from September 30 to January 6 at London’s Garrick Theatre.

If the phenomenal interest continues, expect seats at the Garrick to be hard to come by after going on pre-sale from March 28, with public bookings starting April 6.

In fact, O’Farrell’s captivating novel has sold more than 1.5 million copies and has fans on every continent.

Her story of bold Agnes Hathaway; her relationship with Shakespeare; the heartbreaking death of Hamnet, her 11-year-old son; and how this tragedy inspired the bard to write hamlet; hit a nerve coming out, like during the pandemic. “It’s a total love story, it’s very romantic,” Chakrabarti told us.

Chakrabarti also continued, “Shakespeare is endlessly fascinating as we try to discover who was the man behind these great works, but Maggie O’Farrell’s book asks: Who was the family behind him?” Anne, or Agnes, Hathaway has gotten some bad press, and this corrects some of those wrongs.

Whyman had a “hunch” that the RSC should put it on stage after reading it because it was “so beautifully about grief and love”.

That love, Whyman noted, “led Shakespeare to some of the most remarkable achievements of his life, especially writing.” hamlet.”

Liza Marshall’s Hera Pictures already had an option and the film is in development at Neal Street Productions, founded by Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris and Caro Newling, and Amblin Partners. Chiara Atik writes the screenplay.

However, O’Farrell and Neal Street were keen for it to be staged in Stratford and arrangements were made with the RSC for Neal Street in association with Hera Pictures to allow for a separate theatrical release of the film. Amblin enthusiastically supports the stage adaptation.

O’Farrell gave both the script and the play “hands-on” attention, Newling said.

Newling admitted that “it’s unusual” to “shout” about a move before the opening, but “there’s been a tsunami of interest and we could never get the extraordinary interest on The Swan alone. There are so many requests for this title,” she added.

The play is a great opportunity for Mantock, who recently made her debut in a revival of Noel Cowards happy spirit directed by Richard Eyre.

Whyman, Chakrabarti and Newling all spoke of their excitement at finding Mantock, with casting director Amy Ball receiving praise.

“It’s easy,” Whyman said. “She has real old-fashioned star qualities, but at the same time has her feet on the ground. Agnes is a hard-working, fearless woman who, like Madeleine, knows her own mind.

For Nottinghamshire-born Mantock, Agnes is a “massive role” for her. “It really feels like the role of her life. I don’t know if I’ll get that chance again, so I’m very grateful.”

The cast met O’Farrell at rehearsals, and Mantock recalls the company writer saying “that ‘not every person in the story is remembered kindly and sometimes misremembered’ and I think we were all glad we had a responsibility have to see how we can see Anne Hathaway this time.

Mantock said: “There’s a lot of pain and loss and sadness, but there’s also love and joy and hope. And all these things have to be felt… that’s life.

She noted the benefits of chakrabarti in rehearsals and, if needed, “when we’re a little lost and don’t know how to do something, we can go to the book. We have this great resource.”

So first the Swan Theatre, followed by a season at Garrick in the West End. The phenomenon of Hamnet it is unlikely to end there.

There’s Broadway and beyond.

The cast also includes Tom Vary as William and Sarah Belcher, Will Brown, Haydn Burke, Ajani Cabey, Faye Campbell, Frankie Hastings, Karl Haynes, Alex Jarrett, Hannah McPake, Elizabeth Rider, Rose Riley, Harmony Rose-Bremner and Obioma Ugoala Peter Wiet.

Creative minds include design by Tom Piper and lighting by Prema Mehta.