Photo Flash: Rehearsal Photos for RICHARD III Starring Martin Freeman, July 1 to Sept 27

Gina McKee (Di & Viv & Rose, King Lear, Ivanov, Our Friends In The North, Notting Hill) will play Queen Elizabeth, alongside the previously announced Martin Freeman (Clybourne Park, The Hobbit, Sherlock, Fargo) as Richard III in Jamie Lloyd''s first production of his second season at Trafalgar Transformed, Richard III, running from 1 July to 27 September, with press night on 8 July.

Check below for photos from the rehearsal!

In the aftermath of civil war, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, makes a hateful resolution to claw his way to political power at any cost. A master of manipulation, subtle wit and beguiling charm, he orchestrates his unlawful ascent by spinning a ruthless web of deceit and betrayal. His staunch ambition soon begins to weigh heavy, as the new ruler finds himself utterly alone and steeped in dread, forced to answer for his bloody deeds and face the horrifying consequences.

Additional casting includes Alasdair Buchan (Ensemble), Simon Coombs (Tyrrel), Philip Cumbus (Richmond), Madeleine Harland (Ensemble), Julie Jupp (Ensemble), Gerald Kyd (Catesby), Joshua Lacey (Rivers), Paul Leonard (Stanley), Gabrielle Lloyd (Duchess of York), Forbes Masson (Hastings), Paul McEwan (King Edward IV/Bishop of Ely), Mark Meadows (Clarence/Lord Mayor), Vinta Morgan (Edward of Lancaster/Ensemble), Lauren O''Neil (Lady Anne), Maggie Steed (Queen Margaret) and Jo Stone-Fewings (Buckingham).

Design is by award-winning Soutra Gilmour, who previously collaborated with Jamie Lloyd on the first Trafalgar Transformed season. Lighting design is by Charles Balfour, with sound & music by Ben and Max Ringham and fights by Kate Waters.

Once again, the Trafalgar Transformed season will offer £15 Monday tickets for all productions, applicable on all seating within the theatre, further encouraging first-time theatregoers to experience the exciting programming at the venue. The production will be accompanied by a programme of Traf Extras, including fiery debates, post-show Q&As and rehearsed readings.

Martin Freeman was last on stage in 2010 in the critically acclaimed Clybourne Park at the Royal Court, directed by Dominic Cooke. Other stage credits include Kathy Burke''s Kosher Harry, also at the Royal Court, and Blue Eyes and Heels by Toby Whithouse at Soho Theatre. On television, Martin played Tim in the original UK Comedy The Office for the BBC. He went on to play Dr Watson in the multi award-winning global smash hit series Sherlock, also for the BBC. Currently on Channel 4, Martin plays the lead role of Lester Nygaard, alongside Billy Bob Thornton, in the television adaptation of Fargo. On film, Martin has most recently played Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit trilogy for Peter Jackson and was also in last year''s highly successful World''s End for Edgar Wright and Sean Pegg. Other film credits include; Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The Hitchhiker''s Guide to the Galaxy and Richard Curtis'' world-wide hit, Love Actually.

Gina McKee was last on stage in Di and Viv and Rose at the Hampstead Theatre.

Gina has previously worked with Jamie Lloyd on the critically-acclaimed production of The Lover and The Collection at the Comedy Theatre in 2008. Other stage credits include her Olivier-nominated performance as Goneril in Michael Grandage''s revival of King Lear at the Donmar Warehouse, alongside Derek Jacobi, Old Times, also at the Donmar Warehouse, Separate Tables at the Chichester Festival Theatre, Ivanov at the Wyndhams Theatre (for the Donmar Warehouse), The Exonerated at Riverside Studios, Aristocrats at the National Theatre, Five Kinds of Silence at the Lyric Hammersmith and Hammett''s Apprentice at the Royal Court Upstairs. On television, Gina has received numerous BAFTA nominations for her roles in The Street 2, The Lost Prince, and Our Friends in the North, for which she won the Best Actress BAFTA. On film, Gina is best known for her portrayal of Bella in Notting Hill, alongside Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. Additional screen credits include Jimmy Picard, Atonement, Hebburn, Line of Duty, By Any Means, The Forsythe Saga, The Borgias, and Wonderland, for which she was nominated for Best Actress in the 1999 British Independent Film Awards.

Trafalgar Transformed Artistic Director, Jamie Lloyd, curates another season of powerhouse plays in the reconfigured Trafalgar Studios. This is the second season of work by Jamie Lloyd Productions, a partnership between acclaimed director Jamie Lloyd and Ambassador Theatre Group.

Jamie Lloyd''s theatre credits include The Pride, The Hothouse and Macbeth (Olivier nomination for Best Revival), all for Trafalgar Transformed, Urinetown (St James Theatre), The Commitments (Palace Theatre), Cyrano de Bergerac (Roundabout Theatre Company; American Airlines Theatre, Broadway); The Duchess of Malfi (Old Vic); She Stoops to Conquer (National, Olivier; Whatsonstage nomination for Best Revival); The Faith Machine, The Pride (Royal Court; Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre for The Pride), Inadmissible Evidence, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Passion, Polar Bears (Donmar; Evening Standard Award for Best Musical for Passion), Piaf (Donmar, also Vaudeville/Teatro Liceo, Buenos Aires/Nuevo Teatro Alcala, Madrid; Olivier nomination for Best Musical Revival, Hugo Award for Best Director, Clarin Award for Best Musical Production, ADEET Award for Best Production); The Little Dog Laughed (Garrick), Three Days of Rain (Apollo; Olivier nomination for Best Revival, Whatsonstage nomination for Best Revival), The Lover and The Collection (Comedy) and Elegies: a Song Cycle (Arts) in the West End; The School for Scandal (Theatre Royal, Bath); Salome (Headlong); Eric's (Liverpool Everyman) and The Caretaker (Sheffield Crucible and Tricycle). He has also directed plays as a part of the Old Vic 24 Hour Plays and the Royal Court International Residencies. Jamie was Associate Director of the Donmar from 2008 to 2011 and Associate Artist of Headlong. Jamie will direct and co-write Back to The Future - The Musical in 2015.

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Photo Cresit: Marc Brenner