Review: Orlando James & Eve Ponsonby star in Shakespeare in Love at the Noel Coward Theatre

Shakespeare in Love

Noel Coward Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 5th February 2015

★★★★

Following its West End opening last July, a new cast have joined Disney's West End production of Shakespeare in Love. Based on the 1998 movie, Shakespeare in Love follows 'Will' as he struggles to write a play... which will eventually become one of the most iconic pieces of theatre ever written, Romeo and Juliet.

Photo Feature: New cast join Shakespeare in Love

Producers of Shakespeare in Love have released production pictures of the new cast who took over at the Noel Coward Theatre on 12th January 2015. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

The play now stars Orlando James as Will Shakespeare opposite Eve Ponsonby as Viola De Lesseps. The pair recently appeared together in Cheek by Jowl’s production of ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore directed by their Artistic Director and Director of Shakespeare in Love, Declan Donnellan.

Sneak peek at... the new cast of Shakespeare In Love in rehearsals

Producers of Shakespeare In Love have released images of its new West End cast in rehearsals. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

From 12th January the production will welcome Orlando James and Eve Ponsonby as Will Shakespeare and Viola De Lesseps. The pair recently appeared together in Cheek by Jowl’s production of ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore. 

The new cast will also feature: Nicholas Asbury as Wessex, Neal Barry as Henslowe, Richard Bremmer as Tilney and Sir Robert De Lesseps, Paul Brennen as Fennyman, Suzanne Burden as Queen Elizabeth, Ryan Donaldson as Ned Alleyn, Edward Franklin as Marlowe, Ncuti Gatwa as Wabash, Gregg Lowe as Sam, Andy McKeane as Ralph, Peter Moreton as Burbage, Joy Richardson as Nurse, Charlie Tighe as Nol and Stuart Wilde as Webster. 

GOSSIP: Orlando James & Eve Ponsonby take over as Will & Viola in Shakespeare In Love?

According to the Daily Mail, Orlando James and Eve Ponsonby will take over from Tom Bateman and Lucy Briggs-Owen as Will Shakespeare and Viola De Lesseps in Shakespeare In Love at the Noel Coward Theatre from 12th January 2015.

Suzanne Burden will play Elizabeth I whilst Barney the dog will continue as Spot.

Interview: Orlando James

Orlando James is currently starring in Cheek by Jowl’s production of of ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore. John Ford's play runs at the Barbican until 26th April 2014 as part of its current world tour.

‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore is described as a “violent and bloody drama” during which the audience witness a brother and sister’s passionate descent into hell. Incest, morality, religion and corruption all make this play as shocking and controversial today as it was almost four hundred years ago.

Orlando’s theatre credits include: Another Country (Chichester), Ferdinand in The Duchess of Malfi (Eyestrings Theatre Company), Greville in The Madness of George III (Apollo/Theatre Royal Bath), Malcolm in Cheek by Jowl’s Macbeth (New York/Barbican/International Tour), Mark in Country Feedback (Waterloo East) and Albert in Ears (Southwark Playhouse).

On screen he played Lord Bentham in the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special, starring alongside John Hurt, Matt Smith, David Tennant and Joanna Page.

I recently spoke to Orlando about performing to international audiences, why ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore is such a shocking yet brilliant play and how it felt to be welcomed into the Doctor Who family…

Are you enjoying your time in 'Tis Pity She’s A Whore?

The tour's been going since 2011 and I joined this time last year. It’s been really great! I did a stint last year which ended in Los Angeles which was really fun - American audiences are crazy!