ESC's Darryl Maximilian Robinson Shares A Review of HAMNET And A Video of Puck's Epilogue Speech from A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM!

ESC'S DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON SHARES HIS MINI REVIEW OF CHLOE ZHAO'S "HAMNET" SCREENED AT THE ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMA THEATRE IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES!

After taking a few moments to collaborate with fellow veteran actor, Shakespearean performer and longtime friend Danny Belrose on recording a new short street theatre video rendition of Puck's Epilogue Speech from the Immortal Bard's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" outside of Flower Street Entrance of The Bloc, your humble servant in The Theatre, Darryl Maximilian Robinson, Founder, Artistic Director and Producer of both The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago and The Excaliber Shakespeare Company Los Angeles Archival Project, hosted by Danny Belrose, attended a Monday Evening January 26, 2026 screening of Oscar-winning Director Chloe Zhao's 2025 work "Hamnet" at the fine and comfortable confines of The Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas in Downtown Los Angeles.

The beautifully costumed, designed, and filmed adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's successful 2020 novel of the personal lives, family lives and searing emotional journey of Agnes Hathaway and her 16th-century, destined for literary immortality husband, William Shakespeare, is brilliantly and powerfully brought to the screen by Chloe Zhao, and her adapted screenplay ( co-written by Ms. O'Farrell ) is one of the most touching and moving pieces of storytelling that moviegoers will experience at the cinema this year.

Director Zhao has a gifted and skilled cast under her guidance who bring the world of the off-stage endeavors of "The Bard of Stratford-Upon-Avon" to vibrant and dynamic life. In the truly great performance of Jessie Buckley as Agnes Hathaway Shakespeare we find a woman who happily embraces with fierce passion her roles as a lover, a wife and, most importantly, a mother of multiple children who is willing to indulge all of challenges of being wedded to a man who must frequently ( due to his commitment to his work in The Theatre in London ) be separated from her and his family until the unexpected death of their only son, Hamnet. Buckley's initial display of earth-shattering grief and ultimate, gradual acceptance and understanding that as a parent she does not grieve alone brings us as an audience to tears.

The versatile Paul Mescal gives us an intense and passionate and complex portrayal of William Shakespeare. His love for his wife and children are clearly apparent. But due to a negative relationship with his own father, he is filled with self-doubt and an insatiable need to prove himself. And, as history notes, he does prove himself. But at a terrible price. He is not present at home when he is most needed. When Buckley's Agnes asks him after the death of their son, Hamnet: "Where Is He?," Mescal's Will realizes that no matter what he says or does can ever, ever console her. Mescal's Shakespeare, driven by despair and guilt, begins work on the play "Hamlet" as part catharsis and part as a way of memorializing his son. Mescal's William Shakespeare is also heart-breaking.

Director Zhao's supporting cast are all excellent, including Emily Watson, who shines as Will's practical and sensible mother Mary Shakespeare, Joe Alwyn, who displays patience, devotion and love as Agnes' older brother Bartholomew Hathaway, and both real-life siblings Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet and Noel Jupe as Hamlet give outstanding performances.

Director Chloe Zhao's "Hamnet" is an exquisite piece of filmmaking. Final Rating: Four Out of Five Stars. Magnificent.

ESC'S DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON PRESENTS NEW 2026 VIDEO THEATRE RENDITION OF PUCK'S EPILOGUE SPEECH FROM THE IMMORTAL BARD'S "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM" AT 7TH STREET & FLOWER STREET ENTRANCE OF ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMAS OF THE BLOC IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES!

Joining creative forces for the 9th time with his longtime talented and frequent ESC Artistic Associate, Videographer and Photographer Danny Belrose, Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago and Excaliber Shakespeare Company Los Angeles Archival Project Founder, Artistic Director and Producer Darryl Maximilian Robinson shares a new 2026 Street Theatre Video Performance Rendition of the mercurial and magical character of Puck's Epilogue Speech from William Shakespeare's comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream" just before the pair of veteran thespians and fellow Shakespearean actors Robinson and Belrose attended a inspiring and moving screening of acclaimed, Oscar-winning Director Chloe Zhao's latest Best Picture Academy Award nominated film "Hamnet."

Darryl Maximilian Robinson's Monday Evening January 26, 2026 new Video Theatre Rendition of Puck's Epilogue Speech from The Bard's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," recorded on the sidewalk at The 7th Street and Flower Street Entrance of The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Theater of The Bloc, is available for viewing at Facebook and YouTube.