Adrian Dunbar to star in Cush Jumbo-led 'Hamlet' at the Young Vic

The new Hamlet adaptation features Cush Jumbo in the title role.

Ahead of a new Hamlet adaptation opening at the Young Vic next month, the full casting to star alongside Cush Jumbo has been revealed. Hamlet is at the Young Vic from 25 September - 13 November.

Best known for playing Ted Hastings in the BBC One drama Line of Duty, Adrian Dunbar will return to the London stage for the first time in over a decade to play the Ghost and Claudius in Hamlet. Previously, he's appeared in King Lear at the Royal Court and Real Dreams and The Danton Affair for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Tara Fitzgerald will play Gertrude. Fitzgerald recently starred in Shipwreck at the Almeida Theatre and Women Beware Women at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Joseph Marcell will play Polonius, with Joana Borja as Guildenstern/Osric, Jonathan Ajayi as Laertes, Jonathan Livingstone as Horatio, Adele Oni as Bernardo, Taz Skylar as Rosencrantz/Fortinbras/Marcellus and Leo Wringer as Fortinbras Captain/Player/Gravedigger.

They join the previously announced Cush Jumbo as Hamlet, who has previously starred in The Good Wife and The Good Fight.

Greg Hersov directs Hamlet at the Young Vic, which will be a new adaptation that presents the tale of political power and desire. Scenic and costume design are by Anna Fleischle, with lighting design by Aideen Malone and sound design by Emma Laxton.

The Young Vic reopened last month with Changing Destiny, which runs to this Saturday, 21 August. In a review of Changing Destiny, Matt Wolf said: "You're forever aware of the import of what is being described without having much by way of actual character to bring these events alive."

As well as in-person performances, Hamlet will be able to livestream from 28 - 30 October.

Hamlet  is at the Young Vic from 25 September - 13 November.

^{Photo credit: Adrian Dunbar (Photo by Karen Robinson)}

^{Article Updated: 6 September 2021}