It‘s one of the most eagerly awaited West End shows of the summer. Hype over the forthcoming World Première stage adaptation of Shakespeare in Love has been agitated further, with recent cast announcements…
The 28-strong cast has been announced
Rehearsals have commenced
This week rehearsals for the eagerly-awaited play began. The stage adaptation of the 1998 film includes a cast of 28 fine actors and musicians, some of whom will be making their professional débuts.
Produced by Sonia Friedman Productions and Disney, Shakespeare in Love has been adapted for the stage by Lee Hall. Hall has worked as a writer across theatre, film, TV and radio. He is perhaps best known for his stage adaptation of Billy Elliot, which won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Book.
Sonia Friedman Productions and Disney have the pleasure of announcing the casting of the soon-to-be-here Shakespeare in Love.
The full cast is as follows:
Tom Bateman will play Will Shakespeare, Ian Bartholomew as Tilney, Lucy Briggs-Owen as Viola De Lesseps, Tony Bell will play Ralph, Anna Carteret is Queen Elizabeth, Paul Chahidi as Henslow, Richard Howard is Sir Robert De Lesseps, Harry Jardine is Sam, Abigail McKern will play Nurse, Colin Ryan as John Webster, David Oakes as Marlowe, Alistair Petrie as Wessex, Doug Rao is playing Ned Alleyn and Ferdy Roberts as Fennyman.
This collection of fine actors will be joined by an equally as talented and diverse musical cast that includes Daisy Boulton, Michael Chadwick, Tom Clegg, Ryan Donaldson, Janet Fullerlove, Amy Merchant, Sandy Murray, Timothy O’Hara, Thomas Padden, Elliot Rennie, Charlie Tighe and Tim Van Eyken.
Tim Van Eyken will be the play’s ensemble and music director. Eyken’s many acclaimed theatre credits include the War Horse at the National Theatre.
Thirstily awaited
Winning seven Oscars, the 1998 comedy film Shakespeare in Love enjoyed phenomenal success. Naturally the stage version of such a popular and successful film is thirstily awaited. The new Shakespeare in Love play will be performed at the Noel Coward Theatre.
Shakespeare in Love will have its world première at the Noel Coward Theatre on Wednesday 23 July 2014. Previews will commence from July 2.
Don’t forget the dog
We can’t forget that joining the 28 actors and ensemble at the Noel Coward Theatre will be Gaiety the dog as Crab.
Teeming with characters, colour, music and life, this summer’s Shakespeare in Love will bring unmissable romance and comedy to the West End. Be sure to pick up tickets for the stage adaptation of Shakespeare in Love when they come on sale in July.
