FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY’S SWAN THEATRE PRODUCTION OF SALOMÉ
SALOMÉ
By Oscar Wilde
Directed by Owen Horsley
Swan Theatre: 2 June – 6 September 2017
Press night: Thursday 8 June, 7pm
Full casting is announced for Salomé, Oscar Wilde’s lyrical one-act play. Originally banned in Britain, the play is set during the reign of Tiberius, and staged to mark 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales.
Salomé is Herod’s stepdaughter, and, as seen by Wilde, is a powerful and enigmatic figure, both erotic and chaste. The prophet, Iokanaan rejects Salomé’s sexual advances, and when she is compelled to dance by Herod, Salomé is filled by lust-driven revenge and demands Iokanaan’s head as payment.
This new production, directed by Owen Horsley, Associate Director on the RSC’s recent ‘King & Country’ season of history plays, explores sexual ambiguity in the contemporary world.
Matthew Tennyson plays the title role. Matthew won Outstanding Newcomer at the Evening Standard Awards for Making Noise Quietly (Donmar). Recent theatre work includes Cleansed (National Theatre) and The Seagull (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). He played Lysander in the BBC One production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, adapted by Russell T Davies.
Iokanaan is played by Gavin Fowler, whose most recent RSC credits include The Winter’s Tale and The Taming of the Shrew. Gavin also played Edgar in King Lear (ATG) against Michael Pennington in the title role.
Seattle based artist, Perfume Genius, will provide the music for the production. Material from his album, Too Bright, will be performed live by the RSC band.
Owen Horsley said, “Salomé is Oscar Wilde’s most controversial play, and Salomé as a figure continues to fascinate and provoke audiences to this day. This production will paint the play afresh by casting a male actor - Matthew Tennyson - in the title role, a part that is usually played by a female actor. This portrayal will explore the ambiguity of gender and sexuality, and the anger, anxiety, mystery and chaos it can cause in the world.
“Some say this play mirrors Wilde’s own experience and desires as a gay man, and it seems interesting and timely on the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality to view this play through a gay lens. Using the music of Perfume Genius, a musician who explores the dangers faced by gay men in contemporary society, the iconic dance of Salomé will be filled with a brute force that reinforces her symbolic status of undying desire.”
Casting also includes: Andro Cowperthwaite (Page of Herodias), Suzanne Burden (Herodias), Ilan Evans (Naaman/Singer), Bally Gill (Jew), Robert Ginty (Soldier), Ben Hall (Soldier), Christopher Middleton (Nazarene), Miles Mitchell (Soldier), Byron Mondahl (Nazarene), Matthew Pidgeon (Herod), Jon Trenchard (Jew), Johnson Willis (Tigellinus), Simon Yadoo (Jew) and Assad Zaman (Young Syrian).
Salomé is directed by Owen Horsley and designed by Bretta Gerecke with lighting by Kristina Hjelm. Music is by Perfume Genius and sound by Helen Atkinson. Movement is by Polly Bennett.
Notes to Editors
For further information, please contact: amy.belson@rsc.org.uk 01789 412622
For Midlands press enquiries and press tickets, please contact: dean.asker@rsc.org.uk, 01789 412660
To book tickets call 01789 403493 or online at www.rsc.org.uk
The RSC Ensemble is generously supported by THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION and THE KOVNER FOUNDATION
The RSC Literary Department is generously supported by THE DRUE HEINZ TRUST
BP £5 tickets and BP Shakespeare Pass for 16-25s
The BP £5 tickets and BP Shakespeare Pass for 16 – 25 year olds gives access to £5 tickets for all RSC productions whether we are performing in Stratford-upon-Avon, London or on tour. The pass enables 16-25 year olds to see five shows in Stratford-upon-Avon for £20 – the cheapest way to enjoy shows at the RSC. Tickets can be booked in advance on the phone, online or in person with some available for sale on the day of the performance. The scheme is supported by Project Partner, BP.
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