Essiedu to reprise lead role in RSC Hamlet tour

Published: 22 December 2017
Reporter: Steve Orme

Paapa Essiedu as Hamlet Credit: Manuel Harlan

Paapa Essiedu will reprise the title role when the Royal Shakespeare Company takes Hamlet on tour in 2018.

Essiedu won best performance in a play at the UK Theatre awards in 2016 for the role. The production, originally seen in Stratford, will visit Salford, Plymouth, Hull, Newcastle upon Tyne and Northampton between January and March before transferring to London’s Hackney Empire from 6 until 31 March.

The RSC has announced full casting for the play. Joining Essiedu are Romayne Andrews (Rosencrantz), Lorna Brown (Gertrude), James Cooney (Horatio), Patrick Elue (Fortinbras), Kevin N Golding (Player King), Tracy-Anne Green (Player), Maureen Hibbert (Player Queen), Whitney Kehinde (Cornelia), Byron Mondahl (Professor of Wittenberg), Joseph Mydell (Polonius), Mimi Ndiweni (Ophelia), Esther Niles (Osric), John Omole (Voltemand), Clarence Smith (Claudius), Buom Tihngang (Laertes), Ewart James Walters (Ghost) and Eleanor Wyld (Guildenstern).

RSC executive director Catherine Mallyon said, “we’re passionate about taking the productions we make in our home in Stratford to theatres across the UK.

“We’re glad that in 2018 many people across the country will have the opportunity to see our work at their local theatre. As well as Hamlet, our acclaimed production of Matilda the Musical will also embark on its first UK and Ireland tour, and our First Encounters with Shakespeare production of Julius Caesar will visit schools and theatres between January and March.”

Simon Godwin directs Hamlet. Design is by Paul Wills with lighting by Paul Anderson. Music is composed by Jamiroquai percussionist Sola Akingbola. Sound is by Christopher Shutt, movement by Mbulelo Ndabeni and fights by Kev McCurdy.

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