Lisa Dillon and David Caves to play sparring lovers, Katharina and Petruchio in Stratford-upon-Avon and on tour.
Rehearsals are now underway for the Royal Shakespeare Company's new production of The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare's sometimes controversial romantic comedy exploring love and sexual politics.
Playing Katharina, Lisa Dillon is known to millions as Mary Smith in the BBC drama, Cranford.
On stage she has played Desdemona in Othello for the RSC. Other stage credits include The Hour We Knew Nothing Of Each Other and Present Laughter (National Theatre), The Cherry Orchard and As You Like It (Sheffield Crucible), Design for Living (Old Vic) and Period of Adjustment and Hedda Gabler (Almeida). Lisa also starred in the Stephen Fry film, Bright Young Things.
Taking the role of Petruchio, David Caves' previous work includes: The Beggar's Opera (Open Air Theatre), Macbeth and Troilus and Cressida (Cheek By Jowl), and Stones in his Pockets (UK tour).
The production is directed by Lucy Bailey, whose acclaimed RSC production of Julius Caesar enjoyed successful seasons in Stratford-upon-Avon, London and New York.
Lucy's other work includes: Macbeth, Timon of Athens, Titus Andronicus, As You Like It, The Maid's Tragedy (Shakespeare's Globe), The Beggar's Opera (Open Air Theatre), The Night Season and Baby Doll (National Theatre).
The cast is completed by: Hiran Abeysekera (Page), Tom Berish (Servant), Elizabeth Cadwallader (Bianca), Col Farrell (Pedant), Gavin Fowler (Lucentio), Huss Garbiya (Biondello), Simon Gregor (Grumio), Paul Herzberg (Vincentio), Nick Holder (Chrisopher Sly), Kieran Knowles (Servant), Aïcha Kossoko (Hostess and Widow), Jonathan Livingstone (Curtis), Adrian Lukis (Lord), John Marquez (Tranio), David Rintoul (Gremio), Sam Swainsbury (Hortensio), Laura Wells (Maid) and Terence Wilton (Baptista).
The production is designed by Ruth Sutcliffe, with lighting by Oliver Fenwick, music by John Eacott, movement by Liam Steel, and fights by Terry King.
The Taming of the Shrew opens at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on 19 January and runs in Stratford-upon-Avon until 25 February 2012. It will then tour to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Richmond and Bath in February and March 2012.
See The Taming of the Shrew tour dates and book tickets