RSC announces full casting for Twelfth Night at the Barbican

The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced full casting for its production of Twelfth Night, which transfers to the Barbican this winter following its run in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Prasanna Puwanarajah’s staging will play from 8 December 2025 to 17 January 2026, with a press night on 16 December. WhatsOnStage Award winner Gwyneth Keyworth will reprise her role as Viola, joined by Daniel Monks, making his RSC debut as Orsino. Another WhatsOnStage Award winner, Freema Agyeman, appears as Olivia, Michael Grady-Hall as Feste and WhatsOnStage Award winner Samuel West as Malvolio.

The company also includes Emily Benjamin as Priest, Norman Bowman as Antonio, George Fletcher as Second Officer and Orsino’s Attendant, Demetri Goritsas as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Danielle Henry as Maria, Michael Lyle as First Officer and Orsino’s Attendant, Cat McKeever as Sea Captain, Daniel Millar as Fabian, Reece Miller as Orsino’s Attendant, Charlotte O’Leary as Olivia’s Woman, Thom Petty as Curio, Rhys Rusbatch as Sebastian, Joplin Sibtain as Sir Toby Belch, Tom Sowinski as Orsino’s Attendant and David Whitworth as Valentine.

The creative team reunites under Puwanarajah’s direction, with design by James Cotterill, lighting by Bethany Gupwell and Zoe Spurr, composition by Matt Maltese, sound design by George Dennis and movement by Polly Bennett. Casting is by Matthew Dewsbury, with Zoë Templeman-Young as associate director.

The Stratford-upon-Avon production, which earned Puwanarajah a UK Theatre Award for Best Director, was well-received by WhatsOnStage, who said: “It’s hard to resist the feeling that the RSC has a proper festive winner on its hands.”