THE TEMPEST & AS YOU LIKE IT Set For 2nd Season Of Bridge Project, Plays BAM & Old Vic In 2010

Following a critically acclaimed inaugural year, theater and Academy Award-winning film director Sam Mendes will again direct a transatlantic company of actors for the second season of The Bridge Project, a unique three-year series of co-productions by Brooklyn Academy Of Music (BAM), The Old Vic, and Neal Street Productions devoted to producing large-scale, classical theater for international audiences. The new cast is led by Stephen Dillane, Anne-Marie Duff, Christian Camargo, and Juliet Rylance who will perform a double-bill pairing of Shakespeare's The Tempest and As You Like It. Dillane will play Prospero in The Tempest and Jaques in As You Like It, joined by Duff as Ariel and Rosalind, with Camargo as Stephano and Orlando, and Rylance as Miranda and Celia.

The Bridge Project again begins its international journey in New York, with As You Like It opening at the BAM Harvey Theater in January 2010, followed by The Tempest in February 2010. It will then embark on an international tour visiting Asia and Europe before arriving in London at The Old Vic in the Summer.

Stephen Dillane returns to the New York stage for the first time since winning a Tony Award for his performance in David Leveaux's production of The Real Thing. Making her U.S. stage debut, Anne-Marie Duff was critically acclaimed for her recent Saint Joan at The National Theatre and on the BBC mini-series Elizabeth-The Virgin Queen. Christian Camargo last appeared on Broadway in Simon McBurney's popular production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons and was acclaimed for his Hamlet earlier this year at Theater for a New Audience. Juliet Rylance recently played Desdemona in the much admired production of Othello at Theater for a New Audience and has also performed in productions at Shakespeare's Globe in London and The Chichester Festival Theatre.

Commenting on the 2010 double-bill, Sam Mendes says:

"Stephen Dillane and I began a conversation about his playing Prospero in The Tempest when I first conceived The Bridge Project back in 2007 and I'm delighted to be finally bringing those plans to fruition. I'm equally thrilled to be welcoming Anne-Marie Duff, one of the finest actors of her generation, playing Rosalind in As You Like It. Complemented by Christian Camargo and Juliet Rylance-two actors I have also followed, admired and hoped to collaborate with-it all adds to my excitement about forming The Bridge Project's Second Company, and building on the wonderful experience of our first year.

The Bridge Project is a major commitment for actors. It unfurls across nine months with two plays performed across major seasons in New York and London, interspersed with an international touring schedule that takes in Asia and many of Europe's finest cultural festivals. The current Bridge company has been made extraordinarily welcome in the countries we've visited and I'm hugely looking forward to making a second such journey."

The full company will again be drawn from leading American and British actors, with further casting to be announced shortly. The cast is appearing with the permission of American Equity and UK Equity. The producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity Association and UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes' Federation, for their assistance on this production.

Director: Sam Mendes
Set Designer Tom Piper
Costume Designer: Catherine Zuber
Lighting: Paul Pyant
Sound: Simon Baker
Music: Mark Bennett
Choreography: Josh Prince
Casting: Nancy Piccione and Maggie Lunn

NEW YORK & LONDON PERFORMANCES IN 2010:
BAM, New York January - March (tickets on sale Autumn 2009)
The Old Vic, London June - August (tickets on sale Autumn 2009)

The first season of The Bridge Project, which pairs The Cherry Orchard and The Winter's Tale, is currently running at The Old Vic until 15 August and concludes on 22 August at Epidaurus, Greece as part of the Athens & Epidaurus Festival.

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