FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR RSC'S THE TEMPEST
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Full casting is today announced for the RSC’s forthcoming production of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, directed by Richard Eyre marking his first time directing in Stratford-upon-Avon following an esteemed career as a director, writer and former Artistic Director of the National Theatre. The production runs in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon between Wednesday 13 May – Saturday 20 June 2025 with press night on Tuesday 26 May.
As previously announced, the production sees Kenneth Branagh making a return to Stratford-upon-Avon for the first time in over 30 years to take up the role of Prospero for the first time, having worked on thirty-five productions of Shakespeare across his career.
Joining Kenneth is Ruby Stokes who will make her RSC debut as Miranda. Ruby has just finished playing a leading role in the New York transfer of The Other Place, Alexander Zeldin’s hit play that debuted at the National Theatre last year.
Other recent stage credits include the lead in The Habits at the Hampstead Theatre, for which she received rave reviews, the sell-out, critically acclaimed production of Till the Stars Come Down at the National Theatre, and the role of Mia in the Orange Tree Theatre’s revival of Polly Stenham’s seminal play That Face.
Recent screen credits include the young lead in The Jetty for the BBC, The Burning Girls for Paramount+ and Lockwood and Co for Netflix. She was previously seen in Shonda Rhimes’ series Bridgerton on Netflix, Sarah Gavron’s film ROCKS and in Ari Folman’s animated feature The Diary of Anne Frank.
Ruby will play opposite Fred Woodley Evans as Ferdinand. He was last with the RSC in Jonathan Munby’s Wendy & Peter Pan at the Barbican Theatre last Autumn. Previous theatre credits include Outlying Islands and Orphans, directed by Al Miller at The Jermyn Street Theatre. On screen, Fred played Hendricks in season 4 of Netflix’s Bridgerton.
Amara Okereke will make her RSC debut as Ariel. Amara is currently touring the UK in the lead role in Top Hat and has recently starred in the Nicholas Hytner film The Choral opposite Ralph Fiennes. In the West End she played Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at the London Coliseum. Prior to that she was in the critically acclaimed A Streetcar Named Desire at Sheffield Theatres and Spring Awakening at the Almeida.
Also making his RSC debut is Ashley Zhangazha as Caliban. Ashley’s West End theatre credits include MJ The Musical, Tina The Tina Turner Musical, Henry V and Fences. Other theatre includes Much Ado About Nothing, Pericles, Danton’s Death at the National Theatre and Measure for Measure at Shakespeare’s Globe. His performance in Guys and Dolls at the Royal Exchange garnered a UK Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Musical. On screen, his credits include; Treasure Island, Betrayal and Manhunt: The Night Stalker.
David Bark-Jones will play Alonso, Keir Charles will play Trinculo, Guy Henry returns to the RSC as Stephano, RSC Associate Artist Paul Jesson will play Gonzalo, Mark Meadows and Henry Pettigrew also return to the RSC to play Antonio and Sebastian respectively.
On announcing the cast, Director Richard Eyre said: “This is the first time I have directed a Shakespeare play at Stratford, and I am thrilled to be bringing The Tempest to life for the RSC with a remarkable cast led by Kenneth Branagh and exceptional creative team including design by Bob Crowley.
The play remains endlessly fascinating — I see it as Shakespeare’s autobiography, a meditation on art and freedom. Of course, there are themes of power, belonging, and colonisation that have long invited new readings and responses. The Tempest is a story shaped by encounters between cultures and systems of power, a story of revenge and magic, and I am thrilled to be working with such an incredible company to tell this story.”
The full company comprises: David Bark-Jones (Alonso), Kenneth Branagh (Prospero), Darrell Brockis (Boatswain), Halle Brown (Spirit), Keir Charles (Trinculo), Philip Childs (Master), Stuart Edgar (Offstage Understudy), Amber Sylvia Edwards (Spirit), Tallulah Hamilton Barr (Offstage Understudy), Guy Henry (Stephano), Paul Jesson (Gonzalo), Mark Meadows (Antonio), Amara Okereke (Ariel), Razak Osman (Spirit), Henry Pettigrew (Sebastian), Ruby Stokes (Miranda), Fred Woodley Evans (Ferdinand) and Ashley Zhangazha (Caliban).
Full company biogs available here.
Joining Richard Eyre on the creative team are Set Designer, Bob Crowley; Costume Designer, Fotini Dimou; Lighting Designer, Hugh Vanstone; Composers, Akintayo Akinbode and Stephen Warbeck; Sound Designer, Nicola T. Chang; Video Designer, Akhila Krishnan; Movement & Intimacy Director, Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster and Casting Director, Charlotte Sutton CDG.
For more press information please contact:
Bethany Arnold, Senior Publicist
bethany.arnold@rsc.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Tempest by William Shakespeare
Directed by Richard Eyre
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Wednesday 13 May – Saturday 20 June
Press Night: Tuesday 26 May at 7pm
BOX OFFICE: rsc.org.uk, 01789 331111
Tickets from £10
'But this rough magic I here abjure.'
On a remote island, an exiled Duke prepares to perform his swansong, his great act of revenge. Kenneth Branagh takes the role of the maestro Prospero in Shakespeare’s final play, a meditation on art, power and freedom, directed by Richard Eyre.
Prospero summons his magical gifts into a devastating sea storm which hurls a ship’s crew onto the island – among them his usurping brother. With supernatural islanders as unwilling agents of his scheme and the castaways spellbound, Prospero’s plot advances. Old scores must be settled; his daughter Miranda must find love.
But as his vision unfolds, a different ending emerges – one of forgiveness, love, compassion. And with it, the chance to renounce his magic forever.
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 Tempest is supported by RSC Production Circle Supporters Serrie and Ian Meakins
The RSC Acting Companies are generously supported by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation
TheRoyal 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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