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David Tennant & Catherine Tate
David Tennant & Catherine Tate

Cast: Tennant & Tate Much Ado, Mamet Double

Date: 5 April 2011

Full casting has been announced for Josie Rourke's upcoming production of Much Ado About Nothing which opens at the Wyndham's Theatre on 1 June (previews from 16 May) starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate. The production will play a limited season to 3 September 2011.

Joining Tennant and Tate (who play reluctant lovers Beatrice and Benedick) are Tom Bateman (Claudio), Alex Beckett (Borachio), Joshua Berg (Titus), Jonathan Coy (Leonato), Anna Farnworth (Innogen), Mike Grady (Verges), Clive Hayward (Hugh Oatcake/Friar Francis), Derek Howard (Angelo), Kathryn Hunt (Ursula), Adam James (Don Pedro), Lee Knight (Conrade), Elliot Levey (Don John), Nicholas Lumley (George Seacole), Sarah MacRae (Hero), John Ramm (Dogberry), Enzo Squillino Junior (Balthasar/Sexton), Leo Staar (Messenger), Natalie Thomas (Margaret) and Hannah Warren-Green (Maria).

Much Ado marks Tennant's first return to the theatrical stage since his Royal Shakespeare Company Hamlet in 2008. When the production, and it's large Doctor Who fan following transferred to London that December Tennant was forced to miss most of the run due to serious back injury. His shortage of London performances meant he was ineligible for an Olivier Award, though the production did win the Theatre Event of the Year and Best Shakespearean Production prizes at the Whatsonstage.com Awards.

Much Ado About Nothing is presented in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions. It has designs by Rob Jones with lighting by Peter Mumford, music by Michael Bruce and sound by Emma Laxton.

Currently playing at the Wyndham's the West End transfer of the Royal Court's Clybourne Park continues until 7 May 2011. Bruce Norris' provocative satire, which is directed by Dominic Cooke, has dominated the recent awards season winning the South Bank, Critics' Circle and Olivier Awards for Best New Play.


A rarely performed double-bill of David Mamet plays Lakeboat and Prairie du Chien will be performed at the Arcola Theatre from 15 April (previews from 12 April) to 7 May 2011.

Lakeboat tells of ship worker Dale’s first day on board the Lakeboat. The tall tale of his predecessor’s disappearance whips through the crew, as Dale discovers their mundane lives and fantastic dreams.

The cast for the production has been announced as Nigel Cooke (Joe), Ed Hughes (Collins), Chris Jarman (Pierman), Rory Keenan (Fred), Mark Lewis (Fireman), Roy Sampson (Skippy), Steven Webb (Dale) and Nigel Whitmey (Stan).

Prairie du Chien takes place in a claustrophobic railroad car rolling through the night. Violent tales of obsession, jealousy and death unfold as passengers while away their long journey across the prairie.

The company, who play across both productions, has been announced as Nigel Cooke (A Storyteller), Ed Hughes (A Listener), Chris Jarman (A Porter), William Jeffs (A Listener’s Son), Rory Keenan (A Gin Player) and Nigel Whitmey (A Card Dealer).

Both plays are directed by Abbey Wright who was associate at the Donmar from 2008 to 2009. Since then her credits have included The Ones That Flutter at Theatre 503, Hidden Glory at The Lowry and on tour, The Winter’s Tale for Theatr Mwldan and readings and workshops at the Hampstead, Old Vic and Theatre Royal Haymarket. Her other associate credits include work on Jonathan Kent's The Country Wife and Danny Boyle’s current National Theatre production of Frankenstein

A Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, David Mamet is best known for Speed-the-Plow and American Buffal. A two-time Academy Award nominee for The Verdict and Wag the Dog, his other film credits include The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Untouchables and We’re No Angels.

The double-bill is designed by Helen Goddard with lighting by Emma Chapman and composition and music by Tristan Parkes.

- by Andrew Girvan

Related Content

Booking Tickets & Show Listings
Much Ado About Nothing Listing Page
Lakeboat Listing Page
Prairie Du Chien Listing Page
Internal Links
With Much Ado has Digital Theatre come of age? - 1st Feb 2012 features
Rat Pack Spends West End Xmas & New Year at Wyndham’s - 28th Jul 2011 news
Review Round-up: Rourke Reunites Tardis Team - 2nd Jun 2011 news
Debo Demurs while Josie Jives - 2nd Jun 2011 blog
Much Ado About Nothing (Wyndham's) starstarstar - 2nd Jun 2011 reviews
1st Night Photos: Tennant & Tate Open Much Ado - 2nd Jun 2011 photos
Photos: Tennant & Tate in Wyndham's Much Ado - 31st May 2011 photos
Opening: Much Ado, Wilton's Hands, Bollywood - 31st May 2011 news
Top Five: Summer Shakespeares - 21st Apr 2011 features
Clybourne Park Scoops Pulitzer Drama Prize - 19th Apr 2011 news
Lakeboat & Prairie du Chien starstarstarstar - 18th Apr 2011 reviews
Josie Rourke Takes Over Donmar from Grandage - 11th Mar 2011 news
Photos: Tennant & Tate Reunited for Much Ado - 10th Jan 2011 news
David Tennant & Catherine Tate Star in Much Ado - 8th Jan 2011 news



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