Juliet Stevenson and Lia Williams to trade roles in Mary Stuart

Juliet Stevenson and Lia Williams have been cast in Mary Stuart which opens at the Almedia Theatre on 9 December.

Robert Icke's adaptation which will see the pair battle it out for the production's central roles by flipping a coin before each performance. It's also been announced that Mercury Music Prize winner Laura Marling will compose original music for the play.

Stevenson has previously starred in Duet for One at the Almedia, whilst Williams appeared in Icke's Oresteia, for which she picked up a Best Actress nomination at this year's Olivier Awards.

Full casting for They Drink It in the Congo has also been announced, with Fiona Button (Peter Pan, RSC) staring as Stef.

Completing the cast is Kirsty Besterman, Richie Campbell, Sidney Cole, Tosin Cole, Roger Evans, Richard Goulding, Joan Iyiola, Anna-Maria Nabirye, Pamela Nomvete, Richard Pepple and Sule Rimi.

Elsewhere in the season, further casting for Oil also been announced. Leo Bill, Nabil Elouahabi and Sam Swann will join the previously announced cast of Anne-Marie Duff and Yolanda Kettle.