Freddie Fox to share role of Romeo with Richard Madden in Romeo & Juliet

It has been announced that Freddie Fox is joining the West End production of Romeo and Juliet, sharing the role of Romeo with Richard Madden. 

This is to allow Richard Madden sufficient time for his injured ankle to continue to heal and because his doctors have prescribed rest between performances.

Freddie Fox will join the company ‪from Tuesday 26th July following a period of intensive rehearsals with Lily James and the rest of the company over the last 48 hours. Freddie recently played the role of Romeo at Sheffield Crucible Theatre. 

Review: Romeo and Juliet at the Garrick Theatre

Romeo and Juliet 
Garrick Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 25th May 2016
★★★

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet continues the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's Plays at the Garrick season, reuniting Branagh with Lily James and Richard Madden who he previously directed in Disney's live action remake of Cinderella. 

PICS: Lily James & Richard Madden rehearse Romeo and Juliet

Rehearsal images have been released for Romeo and Juliet which opens at the Garrick Theatre on 25th May (previews from 12th May) as part of Kenneth Branagh's Plays at the Garrick season. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

The show plays until 13th August 2016 with a live cinema broadcast set for 7th July. Cinderella stars Lily James and Richard Madden who reunite with Branagh to star as Juliet and Romeo alongside Derek Jacobi as Mercutio. Branagh and Rob Ashford are co-directing the show.

PICS: Romeo and Juliet at the Watermill Theatre

Production images have been released for Romeo and Juliet at the Watermill Theatre which last night opened Paul Hart's inaugural season at the venue. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge). 

With casting in collaboration with The National Youth Theatre and the UK’s leading theatre schools, Hart has assembled a company of young actor-musicians and emerging singer-songwriters, for this contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare’s immortal tale of an all-consuming love. Set in the round, the production features live music by Johnny Flynn performed by the company. Design is by Katie Lias with lighting by Tom White and sound by David Gregory. 

Casting announced for Romeo and Juliet at the Watermill Theatre

Casting has been announced for Romeo and Juliet at the Watermill Theatre which opens Paul Hart's inaugural season at the venue.

With casting in collaboration with The National Youth Theatre and the UK’s leading theatre schools, Hart has assembled a company of young actor-musicians and emerging singer-songwriters, for this contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare’s immortal tale of an all-consuming love. 

Set in the round, the production will also feature live music by Johnny Flynn performed by the company. Design is by Katie Lias with lighting by Tom White and sound by David Gregory.

Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company to broadcast The Winter's Tale, Romeo and Juliet & The Entertainer

The first promotional image of Judi Dench in The Winter's Tale has been released (see right, click image to enlarge). 

Dench plays Paulina in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's production which opens at the Garrick Theatre on 7th November 2015 (previews from 16th October) and runs until 16th January 2016.

It has also been announced that the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company, in partnership with Picturehouse Entertainment, will broadcast three productions of its year-long Plays at the Garrick season live to cinemas worldwide. 

The first Branagh Theatre Live production will be The Winter’s Tale at 7pm on 26th November 2015. Tickets are now on sale. Romeo and Juliet and The Entertainer will also be broadcast, with details to be announced.

Kenneth Branagh said: "In 2015, where theatre making and film making meet is exciting. The cinema broadcasts of our plays hope tochallenge the possibilities of this relationship. We have a team of people who are experienced in both worlds. The potential results, particularly in exploring the magic of Shakespeare, should be fascinating. 

UPDATED: Derek Jacobi cast in Kenneth Branagh's Romeo and Juliet

Following last night's news, further information has been announced about Derek Jacobi's casting in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's production of Romeo and Juliet at the Garrick Theatre. 

Jacobi will play Mercutio opposite Lily James as Juliet and Richard Madden as Romeo. The three actors recently starred in Branagh's new live action film of Cinderella.  The production will run from 12th May 2016 until 13th August 2016.

Branagh said: “Sir Derek Jacobi has been an inspiration to so many actors and audiences throughout his brilliant career. To see him in Shakespeare is an event in itself. It’s an honour to welcome this wonderful artist to our season of Plays at the Garrick.”

Big Interview: Sharon D. Clarke

Known for her immense diversity, Sharon D. Clarke is one of theatre’s most respected performers. She is currently playing the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet at the Rose Theatre Kingston.

Sharon’s West End credits include playing General Cartwright in Guys and Dolls, Joanne in Rent, Miss Sherman in Fame, Rafiki in The Lion King, Matron Mama Morton in Chicago, Mama Winter in Mama I Want to Sing and Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray. 

She famously created the role of Killer Queen in We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre as well as Oda Mae Brown in Ghost the Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre, and for both roles she was nominated for Olivier Awards. Last year Sharon won her first Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in The Amen Corner at the National Theatre.

Just a few of Sharon’s further theatre credits include: Porgy and Bess (Regents Park Open Air), Mother Goose, Blues in the Night and Vagina Monologues (all Hackney Empire), Once On This Island (Nottingham Playhouse), Lift Off (Curve), Stepping Out (Albery), Once on this Island (Olivier nomination/Birmingham Rep) and Little Shop of Horrors (Leicester Haymarket). 

As well as playing Lola Griffin in Holby City, Sharon’s screen credits include: You, Me &Them II, Death in Paradise, New Tricks, Psychobitches, The Shadow Line, Casualty, Boo!, The Crust, Waking the Dead, Stop, Look, Listen, The Singing Detective, Sugarhouse, Secret Society and Beautiful People.

I recently spoke to Sharon about taking on her first Shakespeare, the diversity of her career, which role she always had her eye on, winning her first Olivier Award and her dream of working with Quincy Jones…

You constantly surprise people by playing completely different roles. What was it that drew you to Sally Cookson's production of Romeo and Juliet?

It’s my first Shakespeare – my first legitimate Shakespeare! I did some Shakespeare workshops at Battersea Arts Centre in my early twenties, but I’ve never been asked to do a Shakespeare! So that was a big, big draw and the Nurse is such a fantastic role that everyone talks about so I was so pleased to be able to do it.