Casting announced for European premiere of THE BOOK OF WILL
Casting has been announced for the brand-new production of Lauren Gunderson’s award-winning comedy, The Book of Will, which opens at Queens Theatre Hornchurch from 27 April-13 May before visiting Bolton and Prescot.
The full cast includes: Hollyoaks stars Jessica Ellis and Helen Pearson, alongside Zach Lee (Coronation Street), Tomi Ogbaro (The Wonderful World of Dissocia, Theatre Royal Stratford), Radio 4 favourite Carrie Quinlan, Russell Richardson (Last Tango in Halifax), Callum Sim (Emmerdale), Tarek Slater (The Jungle Book, Oldham Coliseum), Bill Ward (Coronation Street), and Andrew Whitehead (The Book Thief, Octagon Theatre Bolton).
Directed by the Octagon’s Artistic Director, Lotte Wakeham, The Book of Will tells the hilarious and moving story of the breath-taking race against time to gather all of Shakespeare’s works and save them for the ages.
This wonderfully witty, funny and fast-paced play tells the story of The King’s Men as they band together for a near-impossible plan – to collect all of Shakespeare’s plays and compile the First Folio. No easy feat, and what follows is a bonkers race against time through 1620s London.
The creative team includes designer Carla Goodman, lighting designer Simeon Miller, sound designer Andy Graham, movement director Jonnie Riordan, and casting director Olivia Barr.
Director Lotte Wakeham said: “I am thrilled to announce this incredibly talented cast of actors and fantastic creative team for our highly anticipated co-production of The Book of Will. Our brilliant playwright Lauren Gunderson is one of the most frequently produced playwrights in the world, and I’m delighted to share her talent with UK audiences, where I’m sure she’ll quickly become a firm favourite.
“2023 marks 400 years since the First Folio was first published, so I am really excited that this European premiere production will honour this special anniversary, which celebrates the legacy of our greatest playwright in a thoroughly joyful and accessible way, whether you’re a die-hard Shakespeare fan or completely new to his work.
“It is wonderful to be collaborating with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Shakespeare North Playhouse so audiences across the country will get to enjoy this hilarious love letter to theatre.”