Gallery: Charlotte Wakefield and cast rehearse The Herbal Bed

Images have been released showing the cast of The Herbal Bed in rehearsals ahead of opening at the Royal & Derngate, Northampton next week.

The production, which will be the first national tour of Peter Whelan's play, stars Emma Lowndes (Downton Abbey, ITV) alongside two time Olivier-nominee Charlotte Wakefield (The Sound of Music, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre).

They are joined by Philip Correia, Patrick Driver, Jonathan Guy Lewis, Michael Mears and Matt Whitchurch.

Royal & Derngate artistic director James Dacre directs the play, a co-production from English Touring Theatre, Royal & Derngate and Rose Theatre Kingston, which will tour to Cambridge, Liverpool, Exeter, Brighton, Manchester, Bath and Oxford, before completing its run at the Rose Theatre Kingston in May.

Featuring original music by Icelandic composer Valgeir Sigurðsson, The Herbal Bed recounts real events surrounding the public trial of Shakespeare's daughter, who was accused of adultery with her neighbour.

It was first produced to great acclaim by the Royal Shakespeare Company before transferring to the West End and Broadway, winning the Writer's Guild and TMA Awards.