Hampstead Theatre and the RSC have announced that Simon Russell Beale has withdrawn from the London transfer of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus.
Directed by Max Webster, the Olivier, Tony and BAFTA award-winning actor was due to play the title role in the production at Hampstead Theatre, from 5 September to 11 October 2025.
From 15 September, Russell Beale will be replaced by John Hodgkinson, who recently starred as Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor at the RSC, and in Dear England at the National Theatre.
Performances at Hampstead Theatre will also now start on 15 September, not 5 September. Ticket holders for cancelled performances will be contacted by their point of purchase.
A joint statement from Hampstead Theatre and the RSC said: “Unfortunately, due to ill health, Simon Russell Beale has had to step back from the RSC / Hampstead Theatre production of Titus Andronicus to give him time to recover. The role of Titus Andronicus will now be played by John Hodgkinson with performances commencing on 15 September. Simon Russell Beale wishes John and the company all the very best for the run.”
Director, Max Webster said: “As a company we’re all so sorry that Simon Russell Beale has had to step back from his role in Titus Andronicus. We all want to send him our very best wishes for a speedy recovery. At the same time, I am thrilled and immensely grateful to welcome the extremely talented John Hodgkinson, who has stepped in at short notice to take on the iconic role and to join our remarkable company.”
The cast also includes Emma Fielding (A Suite in Three Keys, Orange Tree) as Marcia Andronicus, Wendy Kweh (Much Ado About Nothing, National Theatre) as Tamora, Ken Nwosu (White Noise, Bridge Theatre; As You Like It, National Theatre) as Aaron; and reprising her role from the RSC will be Letty Thomas (As You Like It, RSC) as Lavinia.
They are joined by Jeremy Ang Jones as Demetrius, Max Bennett as Saturninus, Marlowe Chan-Reeves as Chiron, Danny Collins as Martius / Messenger, Maximus Evans as Quintus / Aemilius, Thomas Josling as Bassianus / Publius, Joel MacCormack as Lucius, Jerone Marsh-Reid as Alarbus / Leader of the Goths, and Sharita Oomeer as Nurse / Goth. The part of young Lucius is shared between Charlie Banks and Osian Salter.
The production is directed by award-winner Max Webster (Life of Pi, Macbeth starring David Tennant), whose National Theatre revival of The Importance of Being Earnest is coming to the West End’s Noël Coward Theatre next month starring Stephen Fry as Lady Bracknell, and Olly Alexander.
Max Webster’s bold and brilliant production of Shakespeare’s bloodiest play is examined through the lens of 21st century aggression. When victorious general Titus Andronicus executes his enemy’s son in a merciless show of vengeance, he has no idea of the evil his actions will incite. As the two sides trade violent acts of retribution, one man revels in the bloodbath.
The creative team for Titus Andronicus also includes set and costume designer, Joanna Scotcher; lighting designer, Lee Curran; composer, Matthew Herbert; sound designer, Tingying Dong; movement director, Jade Hackett; fight and intimacy directors, Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown; and casting director, Matthew Dewsbury CDG. The revival director is Kwame Owusu.
Hampstead Theatre previously announced its winter season, including the European premiere of The Assembled Parties by Richard Greenberg and starring Tracy-Ann Oberman, the world premieres of The Billionaire Inside Your Head by Will Lord, Fatherland by Nancy Farino and A Ghost in Your Ear by Jamie Armitage, and a major revival of Tom Stoppard’s Indian Ink starring Felicity Kendal.
Titus Andronicus – Booking Info
Titus Andronicus is running at Hampstead Theatre from 5 September to 11 October 2025.
Book Titus Andronicus tickets at Hampstead Theatre in London
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