The RSC have announced further casting details for its upcoming production of Richard III, which runs from 23 June–8 October in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

The production will be directed by Gregory Doran, whose decision to step down as Artistic Director after 35 years with the Company and ten years in post, was announced last month.

Doran said: “It’s a real thrill to be back in the rehearsal room at last working with this fantastic company of actors which includes several familiar faces from current double-bill of Henry VI Rebellion and The Wars of the Roses alongside returning company members from across the years and those making their debut with the RSC this Summer.

“Richard III has a quartet of extraordinary women’s roles and I am delighted that we have enticed RSC veteran Claire Benedict back, (having taken a few years out) to play The Duchess of York; Kristy Bushell (The White Devil) to play Queen Elizabeth; Rosie Sheehy (King John) to play Lady Anne, and of course Mariah Gale returning in the role of Queen Margaret.

“Richard III completes the bloody cycle of plays covering the War of the Roses, one of the most turbulent periods in English history. It’s the story of Richard, Duke of Gloucester’s unscrupulous climb to power and I’m delighted to be working with Arthur Hughes, whose own particular lived experience’will, I’m sure, bring a new urgent and unexpected perspective to the role of Richard.

“Past productions of Richard III at the RSC have included many memorable performances of this role, from Ian Holm to Jonathan Slinger and of course, Antony Sher. Nearly 40 years on from his celebrated performance as Shakespeare’s ‘bottled spider’, I’m delighted to be putting disabled talent centre stage in this savage analysis of tyranny and the dangers of letting it go unchecked.”

Joining Arthur Hughes (The Innocents, Netflix) in the title role of Richard, following his RSC debut in Wars of the Roses this Spring, will be Rosie Sheehy as Anne, who last performed at the RSC in 2019, playing the title role in King John.

Returning to the company following Henry VI: Rebellion and Wars of the Roses are Minnie Gale, Ashley D Gayle and Ben Hall who will reprise their roles as Margaret, Edward and Clarence respectively. Also returning is Conor Glean who will play the role of Murderer having played the roles of Dick and Young Clifford in Rebellion and The Wars of the Roses.

They will be joined by Nicholas Armfield as Richmond, Micah Balfour as Hastings, Claire Benedict as Duchess of York, and Kirsty Bushell as Elizabeth.

Making their RSC debuts this season are Callum Coates as Brackenbury, Oscar Batterham as Rivers, Sophie Cartman as Keeper, Matthew Duckett as Catesby, Will Edgerton as Tyrell, Olivia Onyehara as Dorset/Citizen 2, Thom Petty as Ratcliffe and Joeravar Sangha as Murderer.

Completing the cast are Simon Coates as Stanley, Eloise Secker as Mistress Shore/Citizen 1, and Jamie Wilkes as Buckingham. 

Richard III features set and costume design by Stephen Brimson Lewis, with lighting by Matt Daw, music by Paul Englishby, sound by Claire Windsor, and movement by Sian Williams.

For more information and to book tickets, please click here.