Casting Announced RSC's THE ROARING GIRL, ARDEN OF FAVERSHAM

Full casting is announced for the first two plays in the 'Roaring Girls' season. Led by Royal Shakespeare Company Deputy Artistic Director, Erica Whyman these rarely performed Jacobethan plays reveal some of the great parts written for and about women.

The season opens with The Roaring Girl by Thomas Middleton and Thomas Dekker, directed by Jo Davies. Leading the cast as the fearless 'Governess of London's underworld' Moll Cutpurse is Lisa Dillon. Lisa was previously at the RSC as Katharina in The Taming of the Shrew and also played Desdemona in Gregory Doran's Othello. Her other credits include the West End production of Private Lives, BBC's Cranford Chronicles and Stephen Fry's film Bright Young Things.

The second play in the season is Arden of Faversham, written in 1592 and published anonymously, but attributed variously to Thomas Kyd, Christopher Marlowe and Shakespeare. Directed by Polly Findlay, with the lead role of Alice Arden played by Sharon Small. The part of Alice Arden is the largest role for a woman in all Elizabethan drama. Making her RSC debut Sharon is most well-known for the BBC's Inspector Lynley Mysteries and Mistresses, her other recent TV work includes Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife and Silent Witness. Sharon has worked at the National Theatre, Royal Court and Donmar Warehouse.

The two productions are cross cast including:

Joe Bannister, Ian Bonar, Peter Bray, Elspeth Brodie, Colin Brown, Faye Castelow, Keir Charles, Liz Crowther, Geoffrey Freshwater, Lizzie Hopley, Joan Iyiola, Tony Jayawardena, Christopher Middleton, Ken Nwosu, Tom Padley, Ian Redford, David Rintoul, Jay Simpson, Timothy Speyer and Harvey Virdi.

The Roaring Girl is designed by Naomi Dawson. The lighting is designed by Anna Watson. Music composed by Gary Yershon with sound by Simon Baker.

Arden of Faversham is designed by Merle Hensel. The lighting is designed by Lee Curran with music and sound by Dan Jones.

For further information, please contact amy.belson@rsc.org.uk 01789 412622 or philippa.harland@rsc.org.uk 0207 845 0512

For press tickets, please contact dean.asker@rsc.org.uk 01789 412660

For images please register at www.rsc.org.uk/press-images

RSC produced filmed interviews are available for media use if you would like further details please contact amy.belson@rsc.org.uk

For further details about the productions visit:
www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/the-roaring-girl
www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/arden-of-faversham

To book tickets call 0844 800 1110 or online at www.rsc.org.uk

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