Four decades after making his RSC debut, Richard McCabe returns to Stratford this autumn to play Jaques in Daniel Evans’ As You Like It. His return marks an extraordinary 40-year relationship with the Company, spanning some of Shakespeare’s greatest roles and more than three decades of performances on the RSC stage.

McCabe first joined the RSC in 1986, appearing in Howard Brenton’s The Churchill Play and George Bernard Shaw’s Misalliance, both at the Barbican Theatre in London. He made his Stratford debut the following year in James Shirley’s Hyde Park, directed by Barry Kyle, as part of the RSC’s 1987 season. That season also saw him play Chiron in Deborah Warner’s acclaimed production of Titus Andronicus, alongside Brian Cox in the title role, as well as Sir Glorious Tipto in Ben Jonson’s The New Inn.

Since then, McCabe has returned to the Company across a remarkable range of productions, establishing himself as one of the RSC’s most celebrated and enduring actors. His roles have included Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1989), Autolycus in The Winter’s Tale (1992), for which he received an Olivier Award nomination, Iago in Othello (1999), King John in King John (2006) and Cicero in Robert Harris’ Imperium plays (2017–18).

His other RSC credits include Timon of Athens, Troilus and Cressida, Twelfth Night, The White Devil, The School of Night, Three Hours After Marriage, A Tender Thing and The Taming of the Shrew.

McCabe was appointed an RSC Associate Artist in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the life and reputation of the Company and his enduring relationship with the RSC.

Speaking about McCabe’s return, director Daniel Evans said:

“Richard has been part of the RSC family for decades, and his work with the Company has been a significant part of our history. As one of our Associate Artists, it is a particular pleasure to welcome him back to Stratford.

“I remember so vividly seeing him as a naughty schoolboy Puck in John Caird’s glorious Dream, Wagner in Barry Kyle’s sensual Doctor Faustus and a brilliant Iago in Michael Attenborough’s passionate Othello – and many more glorious performances. So, to be working with him is a dream come true.

“Jaques is such an intriguing figure in As You Like It – melancholy, elusive and deeply philosophical – and I cannot think of anyone better to bring him to life.”

Beyond the RSC, McCabe has enjoyed an acclaimed career across stage and screen. He won both a Tony Award and an Olivier Award for his performance as Harold Wilson in The Audience. His theatre credits include The Yeomen of the Guard at the London Coliseum, A Little Hotel on the Side at Theatre Royal Bath, Bingo at Chichester Festival Theatre and the Young Vic, Doctor Faustus at the Young Vic, Fortune’s Fool at the Old Vic, Scapino at Chichester Festival Theatre and Yes, Prime Minister in the West End and on UK tour.

His screen work includes Grantchester, Anatomy of a Scandal, A Very British Scandal, Death in Paradise, The English Game, Collateral, Harlots, Peaky Blinders and Poldark, alongside films including Gladiator II, 1917, The Duke, Master and Commander, Notting Hill and The Constant Gardener.

Now, 40 years after his first RSC production, McCabe returns to the Company in one of Shakespeare’s most enigmatic roles. In Daniel Evans’ new production of As You Like It, he joins Tony Award-winning Jonathan Groff as Rosalind and Fisayo Akinade as Celia in an all-male cast exploring Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy.

As You Like It runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 26 September to 7 November 2026.