Michael Fentiman will make his Royal Shakespeare Company directing debut with Shakespeare’s bloodiest and most violent play Titus Andronicus.
He said, “I’m delighted to return to the RSC, my stomping ground for three wonderful years as an assistant director, with this full-blooded and ultimately heart-breaking play.
“Titus Andronicus is cult Shakespeare, lesser known yet unforgettable for those who have seen it performed; an unsettling, blackly comic, revenge tragedy that has been met with shock, contempt and excitement in equal measure throughout its history.
“I start rehearsals with huge excitement for the team of actors and creatives and for the opportunity to create a rollercoaster experience in such an intimate and beautiful theatre as the Swan.”
As previously announced, Stephen Boxer returns to the RSC in the title role. He was at the RSC last year as William Tyndale in Written on the Heart and Archbishop Aguiar in The Heresy of Love.
Katy Stephens plays Queen Tamora. She played Rosalind in Michael Boyd's As You Like It in 2011 and performed several roles in The Histories cycle.
Also returning to the RSC in Titus Andronicus are Ben Deery (Publius); Richard Durden (Marcus); Richard Goulding (Bassianus); Kevin Harvey (Aaron); John Hopkins (Saturninus); Sarah Ridgeway (Goth Queen/concubine); and David Rubin (Caius).
Making their RSC debuts are Joe Bannister (Quintus); Ellie Beaven (handmaid/concubine); Gwilym Lloyd (Aemilius); Harry McEntire (Mutius); Perry Millward (Demetrius); Matthew Needham (Lucius); Ciarán Owens (Martius); Nicholas Prasad (Sempronius); Rose Reynolds (Lavinia); Badria Timimi (nurse); Dwane Walcott (clown/Alarbus); and Jonny Weldon (Chiron).
The play is designed by Colin Richmond with lighting by Chris Davey, sound and music by Tom Mills, movement by Ann Yee, fights by Kate Waters and illusions by Richard Pinner.
Titus Andronicus runs in repertoire in the Swan Theatre from 16 May until 26 October.