London's Shakespeare's Globe Season Will Feature Jamie Parker, Samuel Barnett, Samantha Spiro, Johnny Flynn

By Mark Shenton
03 Feb 2012

Jamie Parker
Jamie Parker
Photo by Jaime King

Shakespeare’s Globe on London’s South Bank has announced further casting for its summer productions that will include Jamie Parker and Samuel Barnett, two of the original cast of the London, Broadway and film company of The History Boys, as well as two-time Olivier Award winner Samantha Spiro and Johnny Flynn, recently in the West End and Broadway runs of Jerusalem.

Parker will play the title role in Dominic Dromgoole’s production of Henry V, and Barnett will make his Globe debut, playing Elizabeth and Sebastian alongside Mark Rylance in Richard III and Twelfth Night, respectively. Barnett and Parker were recently reunited onstage in the title roles of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead at Chichester Festival Theatre and the Theatre Royal, Haymarket.

Spiro will play Katherina in The Taming of the Shrew, coming to the Globe immediately after appearing in the title role of Filumena at the Almeida. She won Olivier Awards for her performances in Hello, Dolly! at the Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park and in Merrily We Roll Along at the Donmar Warehouse. Other recent credits include Chicken Soup with Barley at the Royal Court.

Flynn, who recently shared the stage with Mark Rylance in Jerusalem, will be reunited with him at the Globe to play Sebastian’s twin Viola in Twelfth Night and Lady Anne in Richard III.

Henry V will begin performances June 7 for a run in rep through Aug. 26, and will come to the Globe following a regional tour that launches in Liverpool April 12. The Taming of the Shrew will begin performances June 23 for a run in rep through Oct. 13. Richard III will begin performances July 14 for a run in rep through Oct. 13; Twelfth Night will begin performances Sept. 22 for a run in rep through Oct. 14.

Public booking for the 2012 theatre season opens on Feb. 13. To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 7401 9919 or visit www.shakespearesglobe.com.