As previously announced, Sherman Cymru’s new artistic director, Rachel O’Riordan, will be directing two main house productions in the coming season, Romeo and Juliet and Christmas show Arabian Nights.
She said of the recently announced casting, "I am delighted to have been able to bring together two casts of superb actors who will captivate audiences at the Sherman this autumn.
"It is exciting to be working with both Welsh and Wales-based actors, as well as bringing some of the most accomplished actors from the UK and Ireland to the Sherman for the first time. It’s fantastic to be bringing together our Celtic connections on the Sherman stage.
"As well as superb casts, Romeo & Juliet and Arabian Nights are two big plays and big productions which will be visually stunning for our audiences.”
In the cast for this contemporary version of Romeo & Juliet are recent Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama graduate and Cardiff-born Chris Gordon, making his professional début as Romeo, and Swansea-born Sophie Melville as Juliet. Sophie Melville has been seen recently on tour with Clywd Theatre Cymru’s Under Milk Wood.
A further Welsh actor, Sara Lloyd-Gregory, will be playing Lady Capulet; Sara Lloyd-Gregory is known for Hinterland amongst other S4C productions.
Joining this home–grown talent are Scottish actor Paul Rattray and and Irish actors Tony Flynn and Sean O’Callaghan.
Anita Reynolds returns to the Sherman Cymru following Measure for Measure and the award-winning Shared Experience co-production Speechless.
Also in the cast are Luke Eliott Bridgeman, Linden Walcott-Burton and Scott Reid.
A cast of actor–musicians will perform the Christmas show Arabian Nights, joined on stage by award-winning composer Conor Mitchell, who has written the show's score.
Ashley Alymann will play the King with Alun Saunders, Elin Phillips, Anita Reynolds, Pete Ashmore and Joanna Hickman each taking multiple roles.
- Romeo & Juliet plays from 2 to 18 October
- Arabian Nights plays from 5 December to 3 January