Michelle Gomez to play Katherine in The Taming of the Shrew
23 January 2008
Conall Morrison returns to the RSC to direct Shakespeare’s comedy of sexual politics, The Taming of the Shrew in The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Michelle Gomez makes her Royal Shakespeare Company debut as the feisty Katherine. Michelle is probably best known as Green Wing’s eccentric and obsessive staff liaison officer, Sue White on Channel 4. Her most recent stage work was as Gretchen in Matthew Warchus’ highly successful production of Boeing Boeing in the West End.
Conall’s last production for the RSC was Macbeth in the Swan Theatre in 2007. This will be first time that he has worked in the RSC’s Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Conall is an Associate Artist of the Abbey Theatre, Dublin where his productions include The Bacchae of Baghdad (after Euripides), Hamlet (a co-production with the Lyric Theatre, Belfast) and his own adaptation of Patrick Kavanagh's Tarry Flynn, (also at Lyttleton theatre, Royal National Theatre – Best Director winner, Irish Times Theatre Awards.) He recently directed La Traviata for the ENO at the Coliseum in London.
Conall is setting the play in the present day and Renaissance Italy.
Stephen Boxer makes a welcome return to the RSC to play opposite Michelle as Petruchio. His previous RSC credits include: Angelo in Michael Boyd’s Measure for Measure (1998), The Herbal Bed (1996/7), The Duchess of Malfi (1990), Sam Mendes’ Richard III (1992/3), Feste in Twelfth Night (1997/8) and Bartholomew Fair (1997/9). He is well known to TV viewers as Doctor Joe Fenton in the BBC’s award winning series, Doctors.
Welsh actor William Beck makes his RSC debut as Grumio. William’s recent television credits include Roy in Robin Hood, John Thorpe in Northanger Abbey and Filth: The Mary Whitehouse Story. Films include: Alexander in The Agent, Steve Parr in Goal II and Neal in Guy Ritchie’s Snatch.
Leonard Fenton, who plays Vincentio, previously worked for the RSC in 1970 in Major Barbara, Twelfth Night and London Assurance and in 1981 in Babel. He played Doctor Legge in Eastenders from 1984 – 2007.
Amara Karan (Bianca) plays Peaches in the new film, St Trinian's alongside Colin Firth and Russell Brand.
The cast also includes: Arsher Ali (Petruchio’s Servant), Keir Charles (Tranio), John Paul Connolly (Tailor), Simon Darwen, Adrian DeCosta, James Garnon (Curtis), David Hargreaves (Baptista), Sean Kearns (Hortensio), Jack Laskey (Biondello), Patrick Moy (Lucentio), Will Sharpe, Peter Shorey (Gremio), Larrington Walker (Pedant), Jade Anouka and Amanda Hadingue (Lady/Widow).
Members of this company are also in Tim Carroll’s production of The Merchant of Venice which opens on 3 April 2008.
Joining Conall on the creative team are: Francis O’Connor (set designer), Joan O’Clery (costume designer), Paul Keogan (lighting), Conor Linehan (music) and Joyce Henderson (movement).
Further information
The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Plays in repertoire from 24 April – 25 September 2008
Press Night: Thursday 1st May, 7pm
Box Office 0844 800 1110, www.rsc.org.uk
For more information and interviews contact:
Nada Zakula
01789 412622
nada.zakula@rsc.org.uk
or
Philippa Harland
0207 845 0512
philippa.harland@rsc.org.uk
