ArtsEmerson Welcomes The Premiere Of HAMNET

ArtsEmerson, Boston's leading presenter of contemporary world theatre, proudly welcomes Dead Centre's (Ireland) Hamnet, co-directed and co-written by Bush Moukarzel and Ben Kidd. A multimedia theatre experience, Hamnet brings Shakespeare's only son, who died at age 11 without knowing his famous father, to the stage. A riveting performance carried chiefly by a solo young actor confronts what it means-and what it costs-to be great. The production runs three weeks at the Emerson Paramount Center's Robert J. Orchard Stage, located at 559 Washington Street in downtown Boston. Tickets range from $20-$80, and may be purchased online at www.ArtsEmerson.org, by phone at 617.824.8400, or in person at the box office. Student, senior and group discounts are available.

ArtsEmerson and Dead Centre will provide Boston audiences a final chance to see Ollie West perform in the role of 11 year old Hamnet who The Guardian calls "riveting [and] completely poised". The companies celebrate West's farewell performance as well as welcoming the young and talented Aran Murphy to take over the role of Hamnet in the final week of performances at the Emerson Paramount Center.

"Hamnet is an entirely ArtsEmerson show in the way it upends convention," shares ArtsEmerson Artistic Director David Dower. "It's a completely surprising, and deeply moving, contribution to the world of Shakespeare. In focusing on his son, a whole new portrait of the man emerges. And it's audacious, entrusting this emotionally complex story to the care of its young star. Dead Centre is a fresh and rising voice out of Ireland that is emerging on the world stage with this piece. It makes a perfect opening to our 9th season."

About Hamnet

Shakespeare's only son takes center stage. William Shakespeare had one son: Hamnet. While William was away working in London, Hamnet died at 11 years old without ever knowing his famous father. How do our dreams impact our families? Do adults really have it all figured out? Or are we blind to what we could have done better until it's too late? In Hamnet, a tour-de-force performance from a young actor confronts what it means-and what it costs-to be great, and how living in the shadow of that greatness can keep one in the dark. In this moving, meticulous, multimedia wonder, ambition clashes with family responsibilities in a way that rivals the stakes of a great Shakespearean tragedy. Running time: 60 minutes.

About Dead Centre

Dead Centre was founded by Bush Moukarzel and Ben Kidd in Dublin in 2012. Their first project Souvenir was created for Dublin Fringe Festival 2012 with guest performances following in 2013 in London and New York. LIPPY premiered in 2013 in Dublin and has since travelled to New York, Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Young Vic in London, and Schaubühne in Berlin. It was winner of the Irish Times Theatre Award for Best Production, a Fringe First, a Herald Angel, a Total Theatre Award and two OBI Awards. Chekhov's First Play premiered in late 2015, and has played in the Schaubühne, Mayfest (Bristol), Baltoscandal, TnBa (Bordeaux), Theatre Vidy and Brisbane Festival. Their most recent project, Hamnet, premiered at Schaubühne in F.I.N.D. Festival in April 2017.

Photo Credit: Gianmarco Bresadola