James Ijames’ Fat Ham has arrived at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Theatre, with a modern remix of Hamlet that is dipped in barbecue smoke, laughter, and sharp social commentary coinciding with Twelfth Night at The Globe.
A compelling examination of love and loss, pain and joy. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Fat Ham is a delectable comic tragedy written by award-winning playwright James Ijames.
Running in Stratford-upon-Avon until 13 September 2025 the story sees Juicy, a young Black student wrestling with grief, identity and the burden of vengeance. The play’s power lies in how it reframes a manages to replace the classic tragedy with comedy, away with Hamlet’s traditionally finds despair.
Sule Rimi shines in dual roles as both Juicy’s ghostly father and his overbearing unhinged uncle Rev. As the Uncle a swaggering, selfish, and domineering—while his spectral turn carried real menace. Watching him pivot between the two was one of the evening’s was great in terms of the effect used and performance.
Andi Osho brought warmth and humour to Tedra, Juicy’s mother, a woman whose loyalty and confusion make her endearing even as she seems oblivious to who really holds power in her family. 
Sandra Marvin’s Rabby turned up the heat and laughs as a mother to two children who has no idea who they are, which is actually the thread that runs through this play, identity..
Horatio is reimagined with a cheeky obsession with self-promotion and OnlyFans ambitions, provided some standout comic moments, throwing in a blend of vanity and playfulness……
The ensemble deserves full credit: their energy fused Shakespeare’s familiar structure with Ijames’ bold humour driven and poignant piece. Karaoke, charades, sly glances to the audience—all of it added to the sense of a family gathering spiralling into something bigger.
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Fat Ham is a reminder that stories can evolve without losing the essence and moral of the story. In FAT HAM the tragic end is not so tragic, this version leans into laughter, resilience, and freedom. This makes for a truly enjoyable evening out. Original Direction by Saheem Ali, directed for the Swan Theatre by Sideeq Heard.
Details:
📍 Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
📅 Running until 13 September 2025
Details at a Glance:
What: Fat Ham
Where: RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
When: 15 August – 13 September 2025
