Makram J Khoury, Patsy Ferran & More Set for RSC's THE MERCHANT OF VENICE & OTHELLO This Summer

Casting is announced for the Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) summer productions of The Merchant of Venice and Othello, running in repertoire in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and broadcast worldwide 'Live from Stratford-upon-Avon'.

Makram J Khoury, one of the most celebrated actors in Israel, makes his RSC debut to play Shylock in Polly Findlay's production of The Merchant of Venice. The Palestinian-Israeli actor has worked on stage and screen for over 50 years; he was awarded the 2014 Jerusalem Film Festival's Achievement Award and the Israel Prize for acting, regarded as the state's highest honour. Makram's credits include international films such as Fatih Akin's The Cut, which was nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival 2014, Steven Spielberg's Munich, Natalie Portman's Amos Oz adaptation A Tale of Love and Darkness, and Richard Raymond's Iran-set Desert Dancer, as well as Israeli comedy Sukaryot and Magic Men, for which he won an Israeli Film Academy award for best actor. His extensive theatre and TV credits include touring with Peter Brook's theatre production 11 and 12 and Channel 4's BAFTA winning drama Complicit.

Joining Makram, and also making her RSC debut in the role of Portia, is Patsy Ferran. Winner of Most Promising Newcomer at this year's Critics' Circle Awards, Patsy is currently playing Jim Hawkins in the National Theatre's production of Treasure Island, also directed by Polly Findlay. Her other credits include Blithe Spirit (Gielgud Theatre West End) and The Angry Brigade (Paines Plough).

The Merchant of Venice cast also includes: Nadia Albina (Nerissa); David Ajao (Singer/Citizen of Venice); Jamie Ballard (Antonio); Scarlett Brookes (Jessica); James Corrigan (Lorenzo); Eva Feiler (Lady/Attendant); Owen Findlay (Salerio); Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Bassanio); Guy Hughes (Singer/Citizen of Venice); Rina Mahoney (Portia's Servant/Duke of Venice); Ken Nwosu (Gratiano/Morocco); Brian Protheroe (Aragon); Jay Saighal (Solanio) and Tim Samuels (Launcelot Gobbo/Tubal).

The Merchant of Venice set is designed by the renowned German designer Johannes Schütz; the costumes are designed by Anette Guther with lighting by Peter Mumford. The music is by Marc Tritschler with sound by Gareth Fry. Movement is by Aline David.

As previously announced Hugh Quarshie and Lucian Msamati return to the RSC to play Othello and Iago in Iqbal Khan's production. Joining them in the role of Desdemona is Joanna Vanderham, who makes her RSC debut. Joanna, best known for playing the lead character of 'Denise Lovett' in BBC's The Paradise, has also starred in feature film What Maisie Knew and BBC drama Dancing on the Edge. Joanna will next appear in Jimmy McGovern's Banished on BBC Two in early March and as 'Marian Maudsley' in a new BBC adaptation of L. P. Hartley's classic novel The Go-Between in July.

The cast for Othello also includes: Nadia Albina (Duke of Venice); David Ajao (Montano); Scarlett Brookes (Bianca); James Corrigan (Roderigo); Ayesha Dharker (Emilia); Eva Feiler (Citizen of Venice); Owen Findlay (Gentleman of Cyprus); Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Cassio); Guy Hughes (Soldier); Rina Mahoney (Citizen of Venice); Ken Nwosu (Gentleman of Cyprus); Brian Protheroe (Brabantio); Jay Saighal (Gentleman of Cyprus) and Tim Samuels (Lodovico).

The Othello set is designed by Ciaran Bagnall with costume design by Fotini Dimou, and lighting by Ciaran Bagnall. The music is composed by Akintayo Akinbode with sound by Andrew Franks. Movement is by Diane Alison Mitchell and the fight director is Kev McCurdy.

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