RSC Announces Casting for Yaël Farber’s The Winter’s Tale
RSC ANNOUNCES CASTING FOR YAEL FARBER'S THE WINTER'S TALE
DATE RELEASED: 9th June 2025
KATHRYN HUNTER JOINS THE CAST FOR WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S ENIGMATIC TALE OF LOVE, LOSS AND HOPE
The Winter’s Tale
Directed by Yaël Farber
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Saturday 12 July – Saturday 30 August
Press Night: Tuesday 22 July, 7pm
Box Office: rsc.org.uk, 01789 331111
DOWNLOAD IMAGES HERE
Further casting is announced for the RSC’s The Winter’s Tale, directed by Yaël Farber, which runs in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon between Saturday 12 July – Saturday 30 August.
As previously announced Bertie Carvel returns to the RSC in the role of Leontes alongside Madeline Appiah in the role of Hermione, Aïcha Kossoko as Paulina and John Light as Polixenes. They will be joined by Kathryn Hunter as Autolycus/Time.
Kathryn Hunter is well known for portraying Arabella Figg in the Harry Potter film series – and for roles in Black Doves, Andor and The Tragedy of Macbeth. Hunter was last at the RSC when she played the title role in Simon Godwin’s 2018 production of Timon of Athens.
The full company comprises: Madeline Appiah as Hermione, Lewis Bowes as Florizel, Amelda Brown as Shepherdess, Bertie Carvel as Leontes, Rhianna Compton as Dancer/Ensemble, Hilda Cronje as Emilia, Ryan Duval as Clown (Young Shepherd), Matthew Flynn as Antigonus, Leah Haile as Perdita, Kathryn Hunter as Autolycus/Time, Chihiro Kawasaki as Danger/Ensemble, Aïcha Kossoko as Paulina, John Light as Polixenes, Mkiyah Page-Gordon as Mover/Ensemble, Rakhee Sharma as Dancer/Ensemble, Raphael Sowole as Camillo, Richard Sutton as Jailer/Ensemble.
Double Olivier and Tony award-winning actor Bertie Carvel is considered one of the most versatile actors of his generation, able to entirely transform himself from one role to the next. He was last seen at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2010, where he originated the role of Miss Trunchbull in Matilda The Musical for which he went on to receive his first Tony nomination and an Olivier Award for ‘Best Actor in a Musical’ in the West End and on Broadway.
Returning to the RSC in the role of Hermione is Madeline Appiah who last performed with the company in 2012 under Artistic Director Michael Boyd where she appeared in Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice and The Taming of the Shrew.
They will be joined by Aïcha Kossoko as Paulina, who played Tanzania in the Olivier award-nominated Kyoto at Soho Place; a co-production between the RSC, Good Chance, Rachel Styne and Jess Foung. Olivier award-nominated actor John Light returns to the RSC for the first time since 2006 as Polixenes, having appeared in past RSC productions, including: The Giant, Julius Caesar, The Tempest, The Seagull, In the Company of Men and A Patriot for Me.
The creative team includes Set and Costume Designer, Soutra Gilmour; Lighting Designer, Tim Lutkin; Composer, Max Perryment; Movement Director, Imogen Knight; Fight and Intimacy Director, Yarit Dor; Casting Director, Julia Horan CDG and Dramaturg Drew Lichtenberg.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact Armani Ur-Rub (Senior Publicist - Freelance) at armani.ur-rub@rsc.org.uk
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
THE WINTER’S TALE
By William Shakespeare
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Saturday 12 July – Saturday 30 August
Press Night: Tuesday 22 July at 7pm
Tickets from £16
Audio Described performances: Saturday 2 August, 1.15pm and Friday 22 August, 7.15pm
Chilled & Handheld Captioned performance: Thursday 7 August, 1.15pm
Performance with Integrated BSL Interpreter: Thursday 14 August, 7.15pm
Captioned performances: Friday 15 August, 7.15pm and Saturday 30 August, 1.15pm
Chilled performance with Integrated BSL Interpreter: Saturday 16 August, 1.15pm
Director Talk, Monday 21 July, 5.15pm
Post Show Talk (BSL Interpreted): Thursday 14 August
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
With thanks to Season Supporter Charles Holloway OBE
Miranda Curtis CMG – Lead Production Supporter
Darwin Escapes – Summer Theatre Sponsor
TikTok £10 Tickets sponsored by TikTok
The RSC Acting Companies are generously supported by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s mission is to bring people together to experience stories that deepen our understanding of ourselves, each other and the world around us, and that bring joy. Shakespeare’s restless exploration of all of human nature is our inspiration and touchstone.
The Company’s roots lie in the bold vision of a local brewer, Edward Fordham Flower, who in 1879 established a theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon with his son Charles. The RSC as we know it today was formed by Sir Peter Hall, whose ambition was to produce new plays alongside those of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. We continue this today across our three permanent theatres in Stratford – the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Swan Theatre and The Other Place – and indeed online and around the globe. We believe everybody’s life can be enriched by culture and creativity. Our transformative Creative Learning and Engagement programmes reach over half a million young people and adults each year. We have collaborated with generations of the very best theatre makers and we continue to nurture the talent of the future.
Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to visual art, reading to dance, music to literature and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2018 and 2022, we will invest £1.45 billion of public money from government and an estimated £860 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk
Darwin Escapes offers an award-winning collection of 26 unique resorts across the UK, each providing luxurious accommodation and unforgettable experiences. Designed to cater to all ages, many sites feature exceptional on-site facilities, including spas, restaurants, swimming pools, gyms, and a variety of activities.
Whether you’re seeking beachside spa breaks, golfing adventures, tranquil countryside retreats, or family-friendly activities, Darwin Escapes has something for everyone. Among these is the conveniently located Stratford-Upon-Avon Lodge Retreat, just two miles from the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Here, guests can enjoy a peaceful countryside setting with premium self-catering accommodation, while remaining close to the rich culture and attractions of the city.
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and its offices include New York, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo
