Casting announced for RSC's Barbican bound Henry V

The Royal Shakespeare Company have today announced full casting for its upcoming production of Shakespeare's Henry V, which will run at the Barbican Theatre in central London from 7 November to 30 December 2015, with an official opening on 11 November 2015.

The production, which is part of the 'King and Country' season, begins performances at the Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon on 12 September 2015. Alex Hassell will take on the central role of King Henry. He recently played Prince Hal in both productions of 'Henry IV' as well as Biff Loman in Doran's production of 'Death of a Salesman' in the West End.

The full cast will include: Daniel Abbott (Gloucester/Monsieur le Fer); Martin Bassindale (Boy); Antony Byrne (Pistol); Sean Chapman (Exeter); Oliver Ford Davies (Chorus), Nicholas Gerard-Martin (Orleans/Bishop of Ely); Robert Gilbert (Dauphin); Alex Hassell (Henry V); Jim Hooper (Canterbury/Erpingham); Jennifer Kirby (Katherine); Jane Lapotaire (Queen Isobel); Sam Marks (Constable of France); Dale Mathurin (Bates/Bedford); Chris Middleton (Nym/Warwick/Governor of Harfleur); Evelyn Miller (Rambures/Lady-in-Waiting); Keith Osborn (Montjoy/Scroop); Sarah Parks (Mistress Quickly); Leigh Quinn (Alice); Joshua Richards (Bardolph/Fluellen); Simon Thorp (King of France); Obioma Ugoala (Grey/Gower); Andrew Westfield (Westmoreland/MacMorris) and Simon Yadoo (Cambridge/Williams/Jamy).

Directed by Gregory Doran, the production is designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis with lighting by Tim Mitchell. The music is composed by Paul Englishby with sound by Martin Slavin, movement by Mike Ashcroft and fight direction by Terry King.

"Henry IV is dead and Hal is King. With England in a state of unrest, he must leave his rebellious youth behind, striving to gain the respect of his nobility and people. Laying claim to parts of France and following an insult from the French Dauphin, Henry gathers his troops and prepares for a war that he hopes will unite his country."