Shakespeare's Globe and Sam Wanamaker News

The Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on London's South Bank has announced initial casting for its upcoming production of Measure For Measure, directed by Dominic Dromgoole, which runs from 20 June to 17 October, with an official opening on 1 July 2015.

Mariah Gale will star as Isabella, alongside Dominic Rowan as Duke Vincentio and Kurt Egyiawan as Angelo, in Shakespeare's late problem play.

"Vincentio, Duke of Vienna, departs from his kingdom suddenly and inexplicably, resigning power to his deputy Angelo in his absence. Under Angelo's rule, a vigorous campaign against lechery and sexual licence begins."

Also announced was the 2015/16 season in the indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, which will open with short runs of four productions:

The first is a specially commissioned production of Thomas Tallis by Jessica Swale, which runs from 22 October to 8 November 2015. This exploration of the life and work of the celebrated English composer follows him through the religious and political shifts of four Tudor monarchies. Directed by Adele Thomas, the production will feature a quintet of singers from 'The Sixteen'.

This is followed by a second collaboration between The Globe and the Royal Opera, as early music specialist Christian Curnyn returns to conduct the Orchestra of Early Opera Company in a new production of Orpehus, which runs from 23 October to 15 November 2015.

Directed by Keith Warner, designed by Nicky Shaw and choreographed by Karl Schreiner, the opera will be performed in English with a new translation by Christopher Cowell. The cast is led by British soprano Mary Bevan in the title role.

Derek Walcott's adaptation of his Nobel Prize-winning poem Omeros directed by Bill Buckhurst will return to the Playhouse from 26 to 31 October 2015. Spanning time and continents, the piece transplants Achille, Hector and Helen to a St Lucian fishing village, underscoring their domestic dramas with broader themes of colonialism, ritual and untamed nature.

The final production in the season will be The Odyssey: Missing Presumed Dead in a co-production between Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and English Touring Theatre. The project reunites Simon Armitage with director Nick Bagnall and is a modern retelling of Homer's epic poem.

The drama follows a government minister on a diplomatic mission to Istanbul, who becomes Europe's most wanted man after a bar brawl. Suddenly plunged into the past, he must grapple his way back to the present and to his family, fighting for survival against unworldly beings and unnatural phenomena. The production runs from 3 November to 14 November 2015.

Public booking for all production opens on 6 July 2015.