Orlando James, Eve Ponsonby & More Join Cast of SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE

The critically acclaimed production of Shakespeare in Love will begin rehearsals with a new cast on 8 December, taking over at the Noel Coward Theatre from 12 January 2015. The production, which has one of the biggest ever casts for a play in the West End, has twice extended its run due to popular demand and is now booking until April 2015.

Orlando James will star as Will Shakespeare opposite Eve Ponsonby as Viola De Lesseps. The pair recently appeared together in Cheek by Jowl's production of 'Tis Pity She's A Whoredirected by their Artistic Director and Director of Shakespeare in Love, Declan Donnellan.

Joining James and Ponsonby in the cast, Nicholas Asbury will play Wessex, Neal Barry will play Henslowe, Richard Bremmer will play Tilney and Sir Robert De Lesseps, Paul Brennen will play Fennyman, Suzanne Burden will play Queen Elizabeth, Ryan Donaldson will play Ned Alleyn, Edward Franklin will play Marlowe, Ncuti Gatwa will play Wabash, Gregg Lowe willplay Sam, Andy McKeane will play Ralph, Peter Moreton will play Burbage, Joy Richardson will play Nurse, Charlie Tighe will play Nol and Stuart Wilde will play Webster. The cast will also include Aaron Anthony, Jonno Davies, Peter Hannah, Nick Hart, Joshua Higgott, Sioned Jones, Sandy Murray, Ellie Nunn, Thomas Padden, Stevie Raine, Elliot Rennie andFlorence Roberts. Barney will continue in his much-loved role as Spot the Dog.

Young Will Shakespeare has writer's block... the deadline for his new play is fast approaching but he's in desperate need of inspiration. That is, until he finds his muse - Viola. This beautiful young woman is Will's greatest admirer and will stop at nothing (including breaking the law) to appear in his next play. Against a bustling background of mistaken identity, ruthless scheming and backstage theatrics, Will's love for Viola quickly blossoms and inspires him to write his greatest masterpiece.

Produced by Disney and Sonia Friedman Productions and based on the Academy Award®-winning screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, Shakespeare in Love has been adapted for the stage by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot). Featuring a company of 28 actors, musicians, and a dog - one of the largest companies ever assembled for a play in the West End - this new play is directed by Declan Donnellan and designed by Nick Ormerod, the driving force behind the world-renowned theatre company, Cheek by Jowl.

Tickets for Shakespeare in Love at the Noël Coward Theatre are now on sale for a limited season at www.shakespeareinlove.com or by calling the box office on 0844 482 5141.