Michael Xavier & Charlotte Wakefield lead Open Air Sound of Music, Jane Asher in Pride & Prejudice

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has announced full casting for the rest of its summer season, with Michael Xavier and Charlotte Wakefield leading the cast of The Sound of Music and Jane Asher starring in Pride and Prejudice.

Jane Asher will play Lady Catherine De Bourgh in Pride and Prejudice, which runs from 25 June to 20 July 2013 (previews from 20 June). Asher’s recent stage credits include Charley’s Aunt (Menier Chocolate Factory) and Bedroom Farce (Rose Theatre, Kingston).

The rest of the cast comprises Ed Birch (Mr Collins), Leah Brotherhead (Mary/Miss De Bourgh), Imogen Byron (Kitty Bennet), Sophia Capasso (Georgina), Olivia Darnley (Charlotte Lucas), Caroline Harker (Mrs Gardiner), Rob Heaps (Mr Bingley), Yolanda Kettle (Jane Bennet), Jennifer Kirby (Elizabeth Bennet), Rebecca Lacey (Mrs Bennet), Frances McNamee (Caroline Bingley), David Oakes (Mr Darcy), Barnaby Sax (Mr Wickham), Eleanor Thorn (Lydia Bennet), Timothy Walker (Mr Bennet) and David Whitworth (Sir William).

The Sound of Music, which runs from 5 August to 7 September 2013 (previews from 25 July), will star Michael Xavier as Captain Von Trapp and Charlotte Wakefield as Maria Rainer.

Xavier’s stage credits include Soho Cinders (Soho Theatre), Into The Woods (Open Air Theatre) and Love Story (CFT/Duchess Theatre). Wakefield is best known for Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre) and Spring Awakening (Lyric Hammersmith/Novello).

The cast also includes Helen Hobson (Mother Abbess), Caroline Keiff (Elsa Schraeder), Faye Brookes (Liesl) and Michael Matus.

Casting has also been announced for the production of The Winter’s Tale created for younger audiences, which runs from 29 June to 20 July. The cast features Lewis Goody (Florizel), Guy Burgess (Leontes), Dean Nolan (Polixenes), Sirine Saba (Hermoine), Alexandra Maher (Paulina/Camillo) and Kezrena James (Perdita).