Royal Exchange Full Casting for Hamlet

FULL casting has now been announced for HAMLET - which runs at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre from Thursday 11 September to Saturday 18 October 2014 and stars acclaimed theatre and television actress Maxine Peake in the title role.   

This bold re-imagining of Shakespeare’s most iconic play - which launches the Exchange’s Autumn Winter 2014 / 15 Season – will also feature Claire Benedict as Player King; Gillian Bevan as Polonia; Jodie McNee as Rosencrantz; Barbara Marten as Gertrude; John Shrapnel as Claudius and the Ghost; Katie West as Ophelia and Ashley Zhangazha as Laertes (see Notes For Editors for full biographies).

 

The cast also includes Thomas Arnold, Michelle Butterly, Dean Gregory, Tachia Newall, Peter Singh and Ben Stott.

The production will reunite Maxine Peake with Royal Exchange Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom following the huge success of THE MASQUE OF ANARCHY, Shelley’s epic poem written in the wake of the Peterloo Massacre, which was performed to over 6,000 people as part of last year’s Manchester International Festival.  

BAFTA nominated for her performances in both THE VILLAGE and HANCOCK AND JOAN, Maxine’s many other TV credits include SILK, RED RIDING and Myra Hindley in SEE NO EVIL. 

Previous theatre credits for the Royal Exchange include RUTHERFORD AND SON, THE CHILDREN’S HOUR and, most recently, MISS JULIE.   

She said: "Sarah and I have looked for a project that would stretch and excite us and HAMLET just seemed the next natural step to challenge us both in so many ways. I am so excited how gender swapping can affect and throw up new ways of looking at this theatrical masterpiece.” 

Sarah Frankcom’s other recent Royal Exchange credits include A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, MISS JULIE, ORPHEUS DESCENDING, THAT DAY WE SANG and BLINDSIDED.

 

She said: “HAMLET is a massively exciting challenge for any actor and director. I am certain Maxine will be a compelling and extraordinary Hamlet for our time.”  

Maxine will also be joining the Exchange as an Associate Artist this autumn.  Her new role will draw on her considerable talents as one of the nation’s best-loved actors and also as a writer. It will include opportunities for her to get involved in the theatre’s pioneering work with community groups and young people - and work with young actors from across the city.