Full cast announced for Daniel Evans' AS YOU LIKE IT starring Jonathan Groff at RSC
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has announced full casting for Daniel Evans’ production of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, playing in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 26 September – 7 November.
Elliot Barnes-Worrell will play Orlando, joining the previously announced Tony Award-winning Broadway actor Jonathan Groff as Rosalind and Fisayo Akinade as Celia. Gary Wilmot will play the dual roles of Duke Frederick and Duke Senior, with Richard McCabe as Jaques, and Greg Haiste as Touchstone.
Completing the cast are Giles Cooper as Le Beau, Jamal Franklin (Ensemble), Steffan Harri as Gwilym/Syr Osian, Steffan Hughes (Ensemble/Vocal Captain), Rhys Parry Jones as Corin/Hymen/a Lord at Court/a Lord in Arden, Edward Judge as Charles the Wrestler/Silvius, Gareth Kennerley as First Lord in Arden/Ensemble, Luke McCall as Amiens, Tim Preston as Phoebe/a Lord at Court, Caleb Roberts as Oliver, and Gareth Snook as Adam/Audrey.
Director Daniel Evans said: “As You Like It asks for a company of actors who can embrace wit, singing and wrestling! I’m over the moon with our cast and can’t wait to revel in their generosity, curiosity and talent. Soon, we’ll be inviting audiences into our Forest of Arden to experience the transformational power of love!”
‘If I were a woman…’
Rosalind is banished from the court of Duke Frederick - but not before she and young Orlando fall for each other. Seeking out her exiled father in the Forest of Arden with her devoted cousin Celia, Rosalind disguises herself as a young man, Ganymede.
In fear of his own life, Orlando also escapes to the forest and soon runs into Ganymede, who pledges to cure his lovesickness. But in order to do so, Orlando has to woo her… or rather, he has to woo ‘him’. Then the games commence.
Daniel Evans directs an all-male company in Shakespeare’s most sweet-natured comedy, where love is love - no matter where it falls.
The creative team also includes set designer Anisha Fields, costume designer Colin Richmond, lighting designer Ryan Day, composer, arranger and music supervisor Theo Jamieson, sound designer Paul Groothuis, movement director Michela Meazza, fight director Kev McCurdy, dramaturg Dr Will Tosh, and casting director Charlotte Sutton CDG.