Robert Powell to Lead KING CHARLES III UK Tour This Autumn

Robert Powell will take on the role of King Charles in the Almeida Theatre's Olivier Award-winning production of King Charles III, which will embark on a UK tour this autumn following sell-out runs at both the Almeida Theatre and in the West End.

King Charles III previews at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from Friday 4 September. The full tour schedule will be announced shortly.

The Queen is dead: after a lifetime of waiting, the prince ascends the throne. A future of power. But how to rule?

Mike Bartlett's play explores the people underneath the crowns, the unwritten rules of our democracy, and the conscience of Britain's most famous family.

Directed by the Almeida Theatre's artistic director Rupert Goold with Whitney Mosery, King Charles III is designed by Tom Scutt, music composed by Jocelyn Pook, with lighting by Jon Clark and sound by Paul Arditti.

King Charles III is co-produced by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the Almeida Theatre.

Robert Powell is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Jesus in Jesus of Nazareth (which won him a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor) and as series regular Mark Williams in Holby City. His theatre credits include Singin' in the Rain (Palace Theatre), Ubu Roi and Pirates (both Royal Court), Travesties (RSC), Tovarich (Chichester Festival Theatre), and more recently touring productions of Doctor in the House and Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell. On television Robert starred opposite Jasper Carrott in five series of The Detectives, and has appeared in The Bible, Doomwatch, Shelley, Jude The Obscure, Looking For Clancy, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Pygmalion, Shaka Zulu, Hannay, The Golden Years, Frankenstein and The First Circle. His film credits include Colour Me Kubrick: A True...ish Story, The Thirty-Nine Steps, Tommy, Imperative (for which he won the Best Actor award at Venice Film Festival), Running Scared and Jane Austen In Manhattan.

The Almeida Theatre was founded by Pierre Audi in 1980; his successors were Jonathan Kent and Ian McDiarmid in 1990, and Michael Attenborough in 2002. Productions including Hamlet with Ralph Fiennes in 2005, Rufus Norris' Festen, Ruined by Lynn Nottage and most recently Chimerica and Ghosts have given the theatre international renown. In 2014 Almeida productions won eight Olivier Awards including Best Actress, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best New Play, Best Director and Best Revival. In summer 2013, Rupert Goold joined the Almeida as Artistic Director. His first production as Artistic Director was American Psycho: A new musical thriller. This was followed by King Charles III which then transferred to the West End at the Wyndham's Theatre and won an Olivier Award in 2015 for Best New Play, and The Merchant of Venice, originally produced for the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2011.

Birmingham Repertory Theatre is one of Britain's leading producing theatres. Founded in 1913 by Sir Barry Jackson, Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company rapidly became one of the most famous and exciting theatre companies in the country launching the careers of an array of many great British actors including Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, Edith Evans, Paul Scofield, Derek Jacobi, Elizabeth Spriggs, Albert Finney and many more. In 2013 the company celebrated its centenary. The REP's aim is to inspire a lifelong love of theatre in the diverse communities of Birmingham and beyond. As well as presenting over 60 productions on its three stages every year, the theatre tours its productions nationally and internationally, showcasing theatre made in Birmingham. The commissioning and production of new work lies at the core of The REP's programme and over the last 15 years the company has produced more than 130 new plays. The theatre's outreach programme is the best of any cultural organisation in the city and engages over 25,000 young people every year. The REP is also committed to nurturing new talent through its youth theatre groups and training for up and coming writers, directors and artists.

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