BILL PULLMAN JOINS CAST OF THE RSC'S THE CHERRY ORCHARD
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The RSC today announces that Bill Pullman will play Gaev in The Cherry Orchard, a new version of Anton Chekhov’s final play by Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade (The Constant Wife, Home, I’m Darling, Posh and Rivals), directed by RSC Co-Artistic Director, Tamara Harvey.
Bill joins the previously announced Kenneth Branagh and Helen Hunt in the production that will open in the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from Friday 10 July – Saturday 29 August, with press night on Tuesday 21 July. Full casting will be announced soon.
On joining the production, Bill Pullman said: “Thrilled is too inadequate – I’m thankful to be part of this company alongside Ken and Helen, and to be working with the talented Tamara Harvey and Laura Wade. When I think of this production, set in the Swan Theatre, I have a feeling that we all are anticipating an experience of exceptional power. Hurry, first rehearsal.”
Bill Pullman is known for iconic roles across film, including Spaceballs, Independence Day, While You Were Sleeping, Sleepless in Seattle, The Battle of the Sexes and The Accidental Tourist as well as television including The Sinner (SAG Award-nomination), Halston and The Murdaugh Murders: The Movie.
He began his career in New York theater in 1983 and has remained active on stage, most recently appearing in the National Theatre’s 2019 revival of All My Sons and Mad House in the West End, whilst on Broadway, his credits include the Tony-Award winning The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? and The Subject was Roses. He was nominated for Drama Desk Awards for Sticks and Bones and Peter and Jerry. Upcoming projects include The Boroughs (Netflix, May 21, 2026), The Basics of Philosophy (dir. Paul Schrader), Jody Hill’s Famous (A24), Spaceballs: The New One (April 23, 2027) as well as Everybody Digs Bill Evans which had its premiere at 2026 Berlin Film Festival.
The Set and Costume Designer is Anna Fleischle and the Casting Director is Charlotte Sutton CDG with further creative team to be announced soon.
ENDS
For press enquiries, please contact: Bethany Arnold, bethany.arnold@rsc.org.uk
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LISTINGS
THE CHERRY ORCHARD
In a version by Laura Wade
From the play by Anton Chekhov
10 July – 29 August 2026
Press night: 21 July 2026
Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Tickets from £15
Ranyevskaya and Lopakhin are giants at war over a cherished estate. Madame Ranyevskaya returns from five years in Paris to find her house crumbling under the weight of debt and memory and her beloved cherry orchard under threat. Attempting to mend her extravagance, Lopakhin, the son of a serf, has mortgaged the estate and now wants to sell it off.
Beyond the orchard, people are starving and the aristocracy is in decline. As auction day approaches the household begins to panic. In this collision of past and future, it’s dangerous to stand still when the world demands change.
RSC Co-Artistic Director Tamara Harvey directs Laura Wade’s vital new version of Anton Chekhov’s great final play, tragic and comic in equal measure, set in a world tilting towards revolution.
IMAGES
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NOTES TO EDITORS
The RSC is supported using public funding by Arts Council England
The work of the RSC is supported by the Culture Recovery Fund
The RSC is generously supported by RSC America
The work of the RSC is supported by Backstage Trust
With thanks to Season Supporter Charles Holloway OBE
The Cherry Orchard is supported by RSC Production Circle Supporters Marc and Rachel Polonsky and Susan Tomasky and Ronald J Ungvarsky
The RSC Acting Companies are generously supported by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a leading global theatre company that sparks local, national and international conversations that build connections, create opportunities and bring joy.
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