In a press statement, Nunn commented, "For my first season as Artistic Director of the Theatre Royal Haymarket, I have chosen three very different projects. Having begun with one of Rattigan's first plays, the semi-autobiographical Flare Path - last performed in the West End in 1943, I am then realizing a forty year old dream by at last directing Tom Stoppard's first masterpiece Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead with Samuel Barnett as Rosencrantz, Jamie Parker as Guildenstern and Tim Curry as The Player. This will be followed by my first production of Shakespeare's last play The Tempest, which will give me also my first opportunity to work with Ralph Fiennes, who will play Prospero."
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead will transfer to the Theatre Haymarket after a prior three-week run at Chichester's Minerva Theatre from May 20-June 11. It will begin performances at the Haymarket June 16, prior to an official opening June 21, for a run through Aug. 20. The cast will be led by the previously announced Tim Curry, alongside Samuel Barnett (Rosencrantz) and Jamie Parker (Guildenstern), reunited from the original cast of The History Boys, who are now confirmed to play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, respectively. Also in the cast are Michael Benz (Horatio), Fiona Gillies (Gertrude), Tom Golding (Fortinbras), Charles Hamblett (Alfred), Jack Hawkins (Hamlet), Andrew Jarvis (Polonius/Ambassador), Katherine Press (Ophelia) and James Simmons (Claudius) as well as Trevor Allan Davies, Tomm Coles, Jody Elin Machin, Zac Fox, Elisabeth Hopper, Greg Last, James Northcote and Stephen Pallister.
Set design is by Simon Higlett, with costumes by Fotini Dimou, lighting by Tim Mitchell, sound by Paul Groothuis and music by Steven Edis. It is produced by the Chichester Festival Theatre, the Theatre Royal Haymarket and Triumph Entertainment Limited.
The Tempest will follow, beginning performances Aug. 27, prior to an official opening Sept. 6, for a run through Oct. 29. Ralph Fiennes will return to the Theatre Royal Haymarket, where he previously played the title role in Ibsen's Brand, to star as Prospero. It is produced by the Theatre Royal Haymarket and Triumph Entertainment Limited.
To book tickets, contact the box office on 0845 481 1870, or visit www.trh.co.uk.
