The production is co-directed by Branagh and Rob Ashford. Kingston is best known for her TV roles as Dr. Elizabeth Corday in "ER" and River Song in "Doctor Who." A former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, for whom she appeared in Much Ado About Nothing, King Lear and Love’s Labour's Lost, amongst others, she was last seen on the London stage in Luise Miller at the Donmar Warehouse. In 2006 she played Nurse Ratched in the West End production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, starring Christian Slater. Recent feature film credits include "Sweetland" opposite Alan Cumming and "Alpha Dog," starring Justin Timberlake.
The production is sold out, but there will be a big screen outdoor relay July 20 at the NCP Bridgwater Hall Car Park in Little Peter Street, Manchester.