Cast update for Hamlet at the Barbican from 5 August

The cast has been confirmed for William Shakespeare's Hamlet at the Barbican Theatre from 5 August to 31 October 2015.

Joining the previously announced Benedict Cumberbatch (as Hamlet) will be: Leo Bill (Horatio), Sian Brooke (Ophelia), Anastasia Hille (Gertrude), Ciarán Hinds (Claudius), Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Laertes) and Jim Norton (Polonius).

The production will be directed by Lyndsey Turner, with set design by Es Devlin, lighting by Jane Cox, sound by Chris Shutt, costumes by Katrina Lindsay and movement by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Produced by Sonia Friedman Productions.

Synopsis: "As a country arms itself for war, a family tears itself apart. Forced to revenge his father's death but paralysed by the task ahead, Hamlet rages against the impossibility of his predicament, threatening both his sanity and the security of the state".

Bios:

Benedict Cumberbatch's many London theatre credits include Danny Boyle's 'Frankenstein' at the Olivier, NT in 2011; 'After the Dance' at the Lyttelton, NT; 'The City' at the Royal Court in 2008; 'The Arsonists' and 'Rhinoceros' at the Royal Court in 2007; 'Period of Adjustment' at the Almeida in 2006; 'Hedda Gabler' at the Almeida and Duke of York's in 2005; 'The Lady From the Sea' at the Almeida in 2003; 'Oh What a Lovely War' and 'As You Like It' at the Open Air Regent's Park in 2002; 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and 'Love's Labour's Lost' at the Open Air Regent's Park in 2001.

His TV credits include his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in the BBC drama, 'Hawking' in 2004; TV adaptation of Small Island in 2009. However it is his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series 'Sherlock' that he is best known.

Leo Bill will be on the London stage later this month in 'Light Shining in Buckinghamshire' at the National Theatre (also directed by Lyndsey Turner). His previous theatre credits include 'The Reporter', 'Posh' at the Royal Court, The Glass Menagerie at Young Vic, and 'The Silence of the Sea' at the Donmar Warehouse.

Sian Brooke's previous London theatre credits include 'Reasons to be Pretty' and 'My City' at the Almeida Theatre, 'Ecstasy' and 'In The Club' at the Hampstead Theatre, 'Wanderlust' and 'Dying City' at the Royal Court.

Anastasia Hille's has appeared in numerous productions at the national Theatre, including 'The Effect', 'Dido, Queen of Carthage', 'Waves', 'Women of Troy', 'Dream Play', 'The Oresteia'a and 'Richard III' for the National Theatre.

Ciarán Hinds' London stage credits include 'The Night Alive' and 'Assassins' at the Donmar Warehouse, 'Closer' and 'Machinal' at the National Theatre, and 'Simpatico' at the Royal Court.

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith's previous London stage credits include 'Edward II', 'Antigone' and 'Death and the King's Horseman' at the National Theatre, 'The Low Road' at the Royal Court, 'Feast', 'Joe Turner's Come' and 'Gone and The Changeling' at the Young Vic and 'Love's Labour's Lost' for Shakespeare's Globe.

Jim Norton is an Olivier and Tony Award winner for his performance as Richard Harkin in 'The Seafarer'. The actor most recently appeared on Broadway as Candy in 'Of Mice and Men'. Other Broadway credits include 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood', 'Finian's Rainbow' and 'The Weir'.