RSC CASTING UPDATE FOR THE ROME SEASON OF PLAYS IN THE RST IN 2017 SPRING/SUMMER SEASON
CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR FIRST TWO PLAYS: JULIUS CAESAR AND ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
DAVID TROUGHTON TO PLAY TITLE ROLE IN TITUS ANDRONICUS
Julius Caesar in repertoire in the RST 3 March – 9 September 2017
Antony and Cleopatra in repertoire in the RST 11 March – 7 September 2017
Titus Andronicus in repertoire in the RST 23 June – 2 September 2017
Coriolanus – performance dates and casting will be announced in the New Year
Casting for Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra, the first two of four productions in the RSC’s season of Shakespeare’s Rome plays, which run in repertoire in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from March next year, is announced today.
The season director Angus Jackson will direct the first and the final plays in the season – Julius Caesar and Coriolanus (the casting for the latter will be announced early next year).
The title role of Julius Caesar is played by Andrew Woodall, alongside Alex Waldmann who returns to the company to play Brutus. Alex last appeared with the RSC in King John in 2012 and As You Like It in 2013 season. Andrew Woodall will also play Enobarbus in Antony and Cleopatra.
Antony Byrne returns to the company to play Mark Antony opposite Josette Simon’s Cleopatra in Iqbal Khan’s production of Antony and Cleopatra. Antony is currently playing Kent in Gregory Doran’s production King Lear, and the King and Country plays, as well as numerous other appearances at the RSC and other theatres.
Titus Andronicus, which joins the repertoire in June, will be cross cast with Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra. The title role in Titus Andronicus is played by RSC Associate Artist David Troughton. David is currently appearing as Gloucester in Gregory Doran’s production of King Lear, and has previously played several leading roles at the RSC including Richard III, Bolingbroke, as well as numerous roles for film, TV and radio (including his current role as Tony Archer in the iconic radio 4 series The Archers.) Full casting for Titus Andronicus will be announced soon.
The company also includes:
Joseph Adelakun (Cobbler in Julius Caesar; Mardian in Antony and Cleopatra); Ben Allen (Cinna the Conspirator in Julius Caesar; Octavius Caesar in Antony and Cleopatra); Kristin Atherton (Calphurnia in Julius Caesar; Iras in Antony and Cleopatra); Will Bliss (Soothsayer in Antony and Cleopatra); David Burnett (Murullus in Julius Caesar; Pompey in Antony and Cleopatra); James Corrigan (Mark Antony in Julius Caesar; Agrippa in Antony and Cleopatra); Paul Dodds (Metellus Cimber in Julius Caesar; Menas in Antony and Cleopatra); Patrick Drury (Cinna the Poet in Julius Caesar; Lepidus in Antony and Cleopatra); Waleed Elgadi (Soothsayer in Julius Caesar; Alexas in Antony and Cleopatra); Sean Hart (Eros in Antony and Cleopatra); Martin Hutson (Cassius in Julius Caesar); Amber James (Charmian in Antony and Cleopatra); Tom Lorcan (Publius in Julius Caesar); Luke MacGregor (Carpenter/Volumnius in Julius Caesar; Menecrates in Antony and Cleopatra); Tom McCall (Casca in Julius Caesar); Hannah Morrish (Portia in Julius Caesar); Anthony Ofoegbu (Trebonius in Julius Caesar; Diomedes in Antony and Cleopatra); Dharmesh Patel (Decius Brutus in Julius Caesar; Philo/Ventidius in Antony and Cleoaptra); Lucy Phelps (Waiting Woman in Julius Caesar; Octavia in Antony and Cleopatra); Jon Tarcy (Octavius in Julius Caesar; Varrius/Demetrius in Antony and Cleopatra); Marcello Walton (Lepidus in Julius Caesar; Scarus in Antony and Cleopatra).
Julius Caesar is directed by Angus Jackson, Antony and Cleopatra is directed by Iqbal Khan and Titus Andronicus is directed by Blanche McIntyre. Angus will also direct Coriolanus.
All the productions in the Rome season are designed by Robert Innes Hopkins (with Associate Designer James Turner)
Music is composed by Mira Calix (Julius Caesar), Laura Mvula (Antony and Cleopatra), Tim Sutton (for Titus Andronicus) and Grant Olding (Coriolanus)
Sound is designed by and Carolyn Downing (for Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra) and Emma Laxton (for Titus Andronicus).
Lighting is by Tim Mitchell (for Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra), Malcolm Rippeth (for Titus Andronicus), and Richard Howell (Coriolanus)
Fights are by Terry King (Julius Caesar), Kev McCurdy (Antony and Cleopatra)
Movement is by Scott Ambler (Julius Caesar) and Villmore James (Antony and Cleopatra)
Events & Exhibitions
Draw Me New Mischief
The season is accompanied by a new free exhibition from March to September in the PACCAR Room, looking at 200 years of British political cartoons inspired by Shakespeare.
Shakespeare’s Rome
A series of debates will explore the power dynamics of Shakespeare’s Rome through the lens of politics today. The panels will include directors and actors from the season. The debates take place on 29 April, 20 July, 4 August at The Other Place.
More information available from www.rsc.org.uk/events
To book tickets call 01789 403493 or online at www.rsc.org.uk
LIVE FROM STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
Our series of productions, filmed live from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford to cinemas around the country and internationally, continues next year, with Picturehouse Entertainment as our worldwide distribution partner:
The Tempest 11 January 2017 and encore dates worldwide
Julius Caesar 26 April 2017 and encore dates worldwide
Antony and Cleopatra 24 May 2017 and encore dates worldwide
Titus Andronicus 9 August 2017 and encore dates worldwide
Onscreen.rsc.org.uk
For further information, please contact Philippa.harland@rsc.org.uk 020 7845 0512
For press tickets, please contact dean.asker@rsc.org.uk
Notes to Editors
For press images, register free of charge via:
https://www.rsc.org.uk/press/press-resources/press-images
Social media at @RSCPress and @The RSC
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The RSC Acting Companies are generously supported by THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION and THE KOVNER FOUNDATION
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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