The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has announced full casting for its forthcoming production of Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II.
Edward II is playing at the RSC’s Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 21 February to 5 April 2025.
The production will be directed by Daniel Raggett (Accidental Death of an Anarchist, ANNA X).
Already announced is Olivier Award-winner and RSC Co-Artistic Director Daniel Evans, who will star as Edward II in the play.
Evans will be joined by Eloka Ivo (Black Superhero, Four Mothers, Avenue 5), who makes his RSC debut as Edward’s lover, Gaveston.
The production also stars Ruta Gedmintas as Queen Isabella, Enzo Cilenti as Mortimer, Jacob James Beswick as Lightborn, Stavros Demetraki as Spencer, Emilio Doorgasingh as Pembroke, Geoffrey Lumb as Warwick, Kwaku Mills as Baldock, Evan Milton as Lancaster, Christopher Patrick Nolan as Bishop of Coventry, and Henry Pettigrew as Kent.
The ensemble includes Joseph Rowe, Neil Sheffield, Michael Cusick and Amy Dunn.
Director Daniel Raggett said in a statement: “I’m thrilled and deeply privileged to be working with this incredible cast on Edward II. This major Elizabethan drama hasn’t been seen at the RSC for over 30 years, and our production will breathe new life into it: honouring Marlowe’s razor-sharp writing whilst embodying everything that gives the original the propulsive energy of a thriller. A love story with a political edge – this 400 year old play has plenty to say about the supposedly liberal and progressive times in which we now live: when King Edward wants to rule alongside the man he loves, how much change can the establishment tolerate, and at what cost?”
Joining Raggett in the creative team are Set and costume designer Leslie Travers, Lighting designer Tim Lutkin, Composers Roddy Hart and Tommy Reilly, Sound designer Tingying Dong, Movement directors Anthony and Kel Matsena, Fight director Kev McCurdy, and Casting director Julia Horan.
Edward II is playing the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 21 February to 5 April.
There’s currently no news on whether Edward II will transfer to London.
Current RSC productions in London include A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Barbican Theatre, until 18 January 2025; and long-running West End musical Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre. Coming up, the RSC’s production of Kyoto is transferring to the @SohoPlace theatre, starting tonight, 9 January 2025.
More about Edward II at the RSC
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