Paul Bhattacharjee cast opposite Meera Syal in Much Ado

Paul Bhattacharjee is cast as Benedick opposite previously announced Meera Syal's Beatrice in RSC's Much Ado about Nothing by William Shakespeare, which is at the West End's Noel Coward Theatre from 22 Sep to 27 Oct 2012.

(Prior to its West End run the play will run at the Courtyard Theatre, in Stratford-upon-Avon 26 July to 15 Sep 2012.)

This new production of Shakespeare's unsettling comedy of love and deceit is set in modern-day India.

It is directed by Iqbal Khan, designed by Tom Piper, with costumes by Himani Dehlvi.

The play is produced by The Royal Shakespeare Company as part of the World Shakespeare Festival.

Paul Bhattacharjee's previous work for the RSC includes Dominic Cooke's Arabian Nights and Gregory Doran's 2002 Jacobethan Season in The Swan and Gielgud Theatres - including Edward III and The Island Princess. Other theatre includes: The Bomb and The Great Game at the Tricycle Theatre, Disconnect, Blood and Iranian Nights at the Royal Court, A Disappearing Number for Theatre Complicite, Playing with Fire at the National and Blood Wedding at the Almeida. Paul is a regular in the BBC Asian network series, Silver Street.

Wolverhampton born writer, actor and comedian Meera Syal makes her RSC debut with this production. She is probably best known for her comedy work on TV, radio and film - which includes Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at Number 42. Meera can be seen in East is East writer, Ayub Khan-Din's new film, All in Good Time, based on his popular play, Rafta Rafta.