Cast announced for RSC productions
Casting announced for the RSC productions of Love's Labour's Lost and Much Ado About Nothing
Casting has been announced for the RSC's pairing of Love's Labour's Lost and Much Ado About Nothing (or Love's Labour's Won) which arrives in London this Christmas at the Theatre Royal Haymarket following runs at the Chichester Festival Theatre and Manchester Opera House.
The productions play in rep from 9 December 2016 to 18 March 2017, with an official opening on 17 December.
Lisa Dillon will play Rosaline in Love's Labour's Lost and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, joining the previously announced Edward Bennett who reprises his roles as Berowne in Love's Labour's Lost and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing.
They will be joined by Sam Alexander (King of Navarre/Don John), John Arthur (Sir Nathaniel/Antonio), William Belchambers (Longaville/Conrade), Paige Carter (Maria/Ursula), Rebecca Collingwood (Katharine/Hero), Nick Harris (Butler/Francis Pickbone/Butler/Officer/Musician), Nick Haverson (Costard/Dogberry), John Hodgkinson (Don Armado/Don Pedro), Tunji Kasim (Dumaine/Claudio), Emma Manton (Jaquenetta/Margaret), Chris McCalphy (Dull/Sexton), Peter McGovern (Moth/George Seacole/Soldier), Chris Nayak (Footman 1/Borachio), Jamie Newall (Boyet/Friar Francis), Steven Pacey (Holofernes/Leonato), Roderick Smith (Gatekeeper 1/Marcade/Verges), Jamie Tyler (Footman/Hugh Oatcake), Harry Waller (Gamekeeper 2/Marcade/Balthasar), Anna Wheatley (Housemaid/Housemaid), Leah Whitaker (Princess of France).
Both productions will be directed by Christopher Luscombe, with designs by Simon Higlett, lighting by Oliver Fenwick, music by Nigel Hess, sound design by Jeremy Dunn and choreography by Jenny Arnold.
Love's Labour's Lost
"Summer 1914. In order to dedicate themselves to a life of study, the King and his friends take an oath to avoid the company of women for three years. No sooner have they made their idealistic pledge than the Princess of France and her ladies-in-waiting arrive, presenting the men with a severe test of their high-minded resolve."
Much Ado About Nothing or Love's Labour's Won
"Winter 1918. A group of soldiers returns from the trenches. The world-weary Benedick and his friend Claudio find themselves reacquainted with Beatrice and Hero. As memories of conflict give way to a life of parties and masked balls, Claudio and Hero fall in love, while Benedick and Beatrice reignite their own, altogether more combative, courtship."
Both productions are presented by The Royal Shakespeare Company, Chichester Festival Theatre, TRH Productions, Jonathan Church Productions and Duncan C Weldon.
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