Casting announced for The Secret Theatre at Shakespeare's Globe

Casting has been announced for the world premiere production of The Secret Theatre at Shakespeare's Globe.

Anders Lustgarten's play will run in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse and will be directed by Matthew Dunster and looks at Sir Francis Walsingham and the extreme tactics he adopts to keep queen and country safe.

Aidan McArdle will play Walsingham, while Tara Fitzgerald will play Elizabeth I, the rest of the cast is made up of Abraham Popoola as John Ballard, Cassie Layton as Frances, Edmund Kingsley, Sam Marks, David Partridge, Ian Redford and Colin Ryan.

Fitzgerald's previous work in the Globe was in 2016 in Macbeth. Her other stage credits include Gaslight in Northampton and A Doll's House at the Donmar. McArdle's previous work includes School for Scandal at the Barbican and The White Devil at Menier Chocolate Factory.

The Secret Theatre runs at Shakespeare's Globe from 22 November to 16 December with previews from 16 November.