A number of Royal Shakespeare Company productions which began life in Stratford are to transfer to London’s West End.
The epic historical thriller Imperium—Mike Poulton’s adaptation of Robert Harris’s best-selling Cicero books, will be revived for a limited season at the Gielgud Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue from 14 June. And the three Shakespeare productions from the RSC’s current Stratford season will be staged at the Barbican Theatre from October.
Directed by RSC artistic director Gregory Doran, the Imperium cast will be led by RSC associate artist Richard McCabe as Marcus Tullius Cicero. The role of Cicero’s faithful servant Tiro, who narrates their adventures, will be played by Joseph Kloska. Many other members of the original company will return for the London run.
Imperium will be staged as six plays, presented in two performances, each with two intervals, as it was during its run in the Swan Theatre, Stratford in 2017.
The productions are designed by Anthony Ward with lighting by Mark Henderson. Music is composed by Paul Englishby, with sound by Claire Windsor. Movement is by Anna Morrissey.
Imperium plays at the Gielgud Theatre from 14 June until 8 September. Press day will be Saturday 30 June.
The three plays transferring to the Barbican are Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Christopher Eccleston makes his RSC debut in the title role of Macbeth, with Niamh Cusack as Lady Macbeth and Edward Bennett as Macduff. Bally Gill and Karen Fishwick are the star-crossed lovers in Romeo and Juliet. RSC associate artist David Troughton will play Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor. The season runs in the Barbican Theatre from 15 October until 19 January 2019.
RSC executive director Catherine Mallyon said, “we’re thrilled to be able to bring Imperium to London alongside Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and The Merry Wives of Windsor in our regular residency at the Barbican.
“Shakespeare and live theatre are for everyone and we’re committed to sharing our work with the widest possible audience, so we’re delighted to offer 30,000 tickets at £10 and under across all our productions, including our RSC Key £5 tickets for 16- to 25-year-olds.”