Kenneth Branagh in RSC’s Tempest – first look photos

The Royal Shakespeare Company has released photos for its production of The Tempest by William Shakespeare, directed by Richard Eyre.

The production will run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to 20 June. Kenneth Branagh has returned to Stratford-upon-Avon for the first time in over 30 years to play Prospero, marking his first time taking on the role. He is joined by Ruby Stokes, who makes her RSC debut as Miranda, and Fred Woodley Evans as Ferdinand.

Also making her RSC debut, Amara Okereke will play Ariel, while Ashley Zhangazha takes on the role of Caliban in his first appearance with the company. The cast further includes David Bark-Jones as Alonso, Keir Charles as Trinculo, Guy Henry as Stephano, Paul Jesson as Gonzalo, Mark Meadows as Antonio, and Henry Pettigrew as Sebastian.

The full company comprises David Bark-Jones (Alonso), Darrell Brockis (Boatswain), Halle Brown (Spirit), Charles (Trinculo), Philip Childs (Master), Stuart Edgar (offstage understudy), Amber Sylvia Edwards (Spirit), Tallulah Hamilton Barr (offstage understudy), Henry (Stephano), Jesson (Gonzalo), Meadows (Antonio), Okereke (Ariel), Razak Osman (Spirit), and Pettigrew (Sebastian).

The creative team includes set designer Bob Crowley, costume designer Fotini Dimou, lighting designer Hugh Vanstone, composers Akintayo Akinbode and Stephen Warbeck, sound designer Nicola T Chang, video designer Akhila Krishnan, movement and intimacy director Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster, and casting director Charlotte Sutton.