Theatre News

Full casting announced for RSC's Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies

The RSC’s adaptations of Hilary Mantel’s Booker Prize-winning historical novels opens in Stratford-upon-Avon in December

Full casting has been announced for Royal Shakespeare Company's forthcoming adaptations of Hilary Mantel's Booker Prize-winning novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies.

As previously announced, Ben Miles will play Thomas Cromwell and Lucy Briers will play Katherine of Aragon (and Jane Boleyn/Lady Rochford), alongside Paul Jesson as Cardinal Wolsey/Wolsey’s ghost/Sir John Seymour/Kingston and Nathaniel Parker as Henry VIII.

The plays will perform in repertoire from 11 December in the Swan Theatre, adapted by Mike Poulton and directed by Jeremy Herrin. Press opening is the 8 January 2014.

The acting company also includes:

Joey Batey (Mark Smeaton), Nicholas Boulton (Duke of Suffolk), Leah Brotherhead (Jane Seymour/Princess Mary/Lady Worcester), Alexander Cobb (Rafe Sadler), Olivia Darnley (Mary Boleyn/Lizzie/Mary Shelton), Nicholas Day (Duke of Norfolk), Daniel Fraser (Gregory Cromwell), Madeleine Hyland (Lady in Waiting/Maid), Lydia Leonard (Anne Boleyn), Pierro Niel Mee (Christophe/Francis Weston), Oscar Pearce (George Boleyn, Lord Rochford/Edward Seymour), Matthew Pidgeon (Stephen Gardiner/Eustache Chapuys), John Ramm (Thomas More/Harry Norris), Nicholas Shaw (Harry Percy/Brereton), Giles Taylor (Cranmer/Thomas Boleyn/Packington) and Jay Taylor (Thomas Wyatt).

The plays are designed by Christopher Oram. The lighting is designed by Paule Constable (Wolf Hall) and David Plater (Bring up the Bodies) with sound by Nick Powell. Movement is by Siân Williams, and music composed by Stephen Warbeck.