Simon Russell Beale to return to 'Titus Andronicus' at Hampstead Theatre

Directed by Max Webster (The Importance of Being Earnest, Macbeth), Shakespeare's bloodiest play is examined through the lens of 21st century aggression.

Olivier, Tony and BAFTA Award winner Simon Russell Beale will return to the title role of the RSC's production of Titus Andronicus when it transfers to Hampstead Theatre in London for a limited run this autumn. Performances begin 5 September, running until 11 October.

Directed by Max Webster (The Importance of Being Earnest, Macbeth), Shakespeare's bloodiest play is examined through the lens of 21st century aggression and sees Roman general Titus Andronicus exact revenge for violence committed against his family.

As part of Hampstead’s autumn season, Titus Andronicus will be followed by five new productions including the European premiere of The Assembled Parties by Richard Greenberg, the world premieres of The Billionaire Inside Your Head by Will Lord, Fatherland by Nancy Farino and A Ghost in Your Ear by Jamie Armitage, and a major revival of Tom Stoppard’s Indian Ink, starring Felicity Kendal.

Greg Ripley-Duggan, Producer and Chief Executive at Hampstead Theatre, said: “I am overjoyed that Hampstead Theatre will present Max Webster’s production of Titus Andronicus – it’s a truly special piece of theatre, fashioned by a creative team at the absolute top of their game, and it’ll be a thrill to host the extraordinary company of actors led by Simon Russell Beale. It’s great that Hampstead has been given the opportunity to welcome London audiences to this once-in-a-lifetime production of a play that is often disregarded, but is here rendered immediate and brilliantly relevant.”

RSC Co-Artistic Directors Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Max Webster’s powerful production of Titus Andronicus will transfer to London following its acclaimed run in The Swan Theatre earlier this year. We are particularly delighted that Hampstead Theatre and London audiences will have the opportunity to welcome back Sir Simon Russell Beale, magnificent in the eponymous role.

“As one of Shakespeare’s first and bloodiest plays, Titus Andronicus continues to compel and horrify us in equal measure with its audacious blend of brutality, gallows humour and hot-blooded intensity. In Max Webster’s production, we see Shakespeare’s study of state-sponsored violence and inter-generational retribution bought sharply and tragically into focus for our times. We look forward to sharing its visceral power with London audiences.”

Also returning to the production are Emma Fielding (Marcia Andronicus), Wendy Kweh (Tamora), Danny Collins (Martius / Messenger), Thomas Josling (Bassianus / Publius), Joel MacCormack (Lucius), Jerone Marsh-Reid (Alarbus / Leader of the Goths), and Sharita Oomeer (Nurse / Goth).

Further casting is yet to be announced.

The creative team also includes set and costume designer Joanna Scotcher, lighting designer Lee Curan, composer Matthew Herbert, sound designer Tingying Dong, movement director Jade Hackett, fight and intimacy directors Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown, and revival director Kwame Owusu.

Check back for Titus Andronicus tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Joel MacCormack, Simon Russell Beale, and Emma Fielding. (Photo by Marc Brenner)