Exclusive: Patsy Ferran cast in RSC's Merchant of Venice

Patsy Ferran, who recently won Most Promising Newcomer at the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards, will play Portia in the Royal Shakespeare Company's upcoming production of The Merchant of Venice, WhatsOnStage can reveal.

Ferran can currently be seen in Treasure Island at the National Theatre, and also recently played opposite Angela Lansbury in Blithe Spirit.

The Merchant of Venice runs in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 14 May to 2 September 2015, directed by Polly Findlay.

Ferran will be joined in the cast by Palestinian-Israeli actor Makram J Khoury, who makes his RSC debut as Shylock.

Competing the cast are: Nadia Albina (Nerissa); David Ajao (Singer/Citizen of Venice); Jamie Ballard (Antonio); Scarlett Brookes (Jessica); James Corrigan (Lorenzo); Eva Feiler (Lady/Attendant); Owen Findlay (Salerio); Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Bassanio); Guy Hughes (Singer/Citizen of Venice); Rina Mahoney (Portia’s Servant/Duke of Venice); Ken Nwosu (Gratiano/Morocco); Brian Protheroe (Aragon); Jay Saighal (Solanio) and Tim Samuels (Launcelot Gobbo/Tubal).

The Merchant of Venice runs in rep with Othello which, as previously announced, features Hugh Quarshie and Lucian Msamati as Othello and Iago.

Iqbal Khan's production will also feature: Joanna Vanderham (Desdemona), Nadia Albina (Duke of Venice); David Ajao (Montano); Scarlett Brookes (Bianca); James Corrigan (Roderigo); Ayesha Dharker (Emilia); Eva Feiler (Citizen of Venice); Owen Findlay (Gentleman of Cyprus); Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Cassio); Guy Hughes (Soldier); Rina Mahoney (Citizen of Venice); Ken Nwosu (Gentleman of Cyprus); Brian Protheroe (Brabantio); Jay Saighal (Gentleman of Cyprus) and Tim Samuels (Lodovico).