RSC CASTING UPDATE ON GREGORY DORAN’S PRODUCTION OF TROILUS AND CRESSIDA

RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran directs the rarely performed Shakespeare play set in the Trojan War in its first production in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) since 2006 when it played as part of the RSC’s Complete Works Festival.

Troilus and Cressida swear they will always be true to one another. But in the seventh year of the siege of Troy their innocence is tested, and exposed to the savage corrupting influence of war, with tragic consequences.

Collaborating with virtuoso percussionist Evelyn Glennie in a world first, Gregory and designer Niki Turner will create a sardonic futuristic vision of a world resounding to the rhythm of battle.

Leading the cast in what will be a 50/50 gender split company is Gavin Fowler as Troilus and Amber James as Cressida.

Gavin Fowler was last at the RSC in Oscar Wilde’s Salome in the Swan Theatre in 2017. His other recent work includes King Lear (Royal and Derngate), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Grandage West End season) and the RSC’s The Taming of the Shrew. He regularly appeared in Showtime TV’s Penny Dreadful.

Amber James last appeared in the RSC’s 2016/17 season with roles in Antony and Cleopatra, Titus Andronicus and Dido Queen of Carthage. Other work includes The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare’s Globe/Tour) and A Streetcar Named Desire (ETT)

Gregory said of the production “It’s a very special play which echoes the tone and mood of our times. We have a cast which combines some great RSC veterans with some of our younger rising stars, as well as reflecting a truly diverse array of talent from all around the UK.

“I am really interested to be exploring the re-gendering of roles in this testosterone-fuelled play to create a 50/50 gender-balanced cast. We have pioneered the re-gendering of roles at the RSC for many years, but this is the first time in the history of the company that we have made a conscious decision to do so for the entire play.

“The re-gendering is completely balanced and has been carefully achieved so that the women have exactly the same stage time and line count as the men.

“But much more important is the interpretative choices that may be opened up, and we hope may illuminate the play in ways we cannot yet imagine – for example, the role of Cassandra, the Trojan prophetess whose curse is that none believe or understand her, will be played by the talented Deaf actress Charlotte Arrowsmith. 

“I am very proud, in our great journey through the canon, to be tackling this dark, sardonic funny and much under-rated play with such a splendid, talented cast."

The full cast list to date is:  Nicole Agada (Paris’ servant), Adjoa Andoh (Ulysses), Andy Apollo (Achilles), Charlotte Arrowsmith (Cassandra), Daisy Badger (Helen), Suzanne Bertish (Agamemnon), Daniel Burke (Diomed), James Cooney (Patroclus), Oliver Ford Davies (Pandarus), Gavin Fowler (Troilus), Helen Grady (Calchas), Amanda Harris (Aeneas), Daniel Hawksford (Hector), Jim Hooper (Nestor), Amber James (Cressida), Andrew Langtree (Menelaus), Geoffrey Lumb (Paris), Esther McAuley (Hecuba), Theo Ogundipe (Ajax), Leigh Quinn (Alexandra), Sheila Reid (Thersites), Mikhail Sen (Helenus), Ewart James Walters (King Priam) and Gabby Wong (Andromache/Antenor). 

Joining Gregory, Evelyn and Niki on the creative team are: lighting designer Matt Daw, co-composer / sound designer Dave Price, movement director Siân Williams, and fight director Terry King.

Evelyn Glennie is the first person in history to successfully create and sustain a full-time career as a solo percussionist, performing worldwide with the greatest conductors, orchestras and artists. She fondly recalls having played the first percussion concerto in the history of The Proms at the Albert Hall in 1992, which paved the way for orchestras around the world to feature percussion concerti. She had the honour of a leading role in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Evelyn regularly provides masterclasses and consultations designed to guide the next generation. With over 90 international awards to date, including the Polar Music Prize and the Companion of Honour, Evelyn is also a leading commissioner of new works for solo percussion, with more than 200 pieces to her name from many of the world’s most eminent composers. The film ‘Touch the Sound’ and her enlightening TED speech remain key testimonies to her approach to sound-creation. To this day, Evelyn continues to invest in realising her vision – to Teach the World to Listen – while looking to open a centre that embodies her mission: “to improve communication and social cohesion by encouraging everyone to discover new ways of listening. We want to inspire, to create, to engage and to empower”.

Notes to Editors:

For further information, please contact Philippa.harland@rsc.org.uk 020 7845 0512

For press tickets please contact dean.asker@rsc.org.uk 01789 412660

To book tickets call 01789 403493 or online at www.rsc.org.uk 

For further information on Evelyn Glennie and her work www.evelyn.co.uk

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.  This programme is supported by BP.

The RSC Acting Companies are generously supported by THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION and THE KOVNER FOUNDATION

Live From Stratford-upon-Avon is generously supported by SIDNEY E. FRANK FOUNDATION.

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