Edward Bennett and Lisa Dillon Lead RSC's MUCH ADO and LOVE'S LABOURS LOST London Transfer

The RSC's hugely acclaimed 2014 pairing of Love's Labour's Lost and Much Ado About Nothing (or Love's Labour's Won) arrives in London this Christmas, following runs at Chichester Festival Theatre and Manchester Opera House. From 9 December 2016 to 18 March 2017, Edward Bennett and Lisa Dillon will delight audiences at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in Christopher Luscombe's elegant, effervescent productions.

At the end of Love's Labour's Lost two sparring lovers, Berowne and Rosaline, are separated; at the beginning of Much Ado About Nothing, two sparring lovers, Benedick and Beatrice, meet again after a long absence. The RSC productions, with dazzling country house designs by Simon Higlett and glorious music by Nigel Hess, are set either side of the First World War. Love's Labour's Lostconjures up the carefree elegance of a pre-war Edwardian summer, while in post-war Much Ado About Nothing, the world has changed forever, with the roaring Twenties just around the corner.

Lisa Dillon will play Rosaline in Love's Labour's Lost and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. Lisa recently starred as Moll in The Roaring Girl and as Katharina in The Taming of the Shrew, both at the RSC, and opposite Stephen Mangan as Lisa in Birthday at the Royal Court. Her other theatre credits include A Flea in Her Ear and Design For Living (Old Vic), The Knot of the Heart (Almeida), Private Lives and Under The Blue Sky (West End). On television, she is best known for her role as Mary Smith in Cranford.

Edward Bennett reprises his roles as Berowne in Love's Labour's Lost and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing. Edward made his name when he took over the title role in Hamlet from David Tennant at the Novello Theatre in 2008. His recent theatre credits includePhotograph 51 with Nicole Kidman in the West End, and the National Theatre's One Man, Two Guvnors on tour.

These productions are presented by The Royal Shakespeare Company, Chichester Festival Theatre, TRH Productions, Jonathan Church Productions and Duncan C Weldon.

Love's Labour's Lost and Much Ado About Nothing

Directed by Christopher Luscombe

Designed by Simon Higlett

Lighting by Oliver Fenwick

Composed by Nigel Hess

Sound by Jeremy Dunn

Choreography by Jenny Arnold

Chichester Festival Theatre: 24 September 2016 - 29 October 2016

Ticket prices from £10

Tickets available from www.cft.org.uk / 01243 781312

Press performances: Thursday 6 October at 2pm and 7pm

Manchester Opera House: 23 November 2016 - 3 December 2016

Tickets available from www.atgtickets.com / 0844 847 2484

Theatre Royal Haymarket: 9 December 2016 - 18 March 2017

Ticket prices from £15

Tickets available from www.rschaymarket.com / 0207 930 8800

Press performances: Saturday 17 December at 2pm & 7pm

Full cast

Sam Alexander King of Navarre/Don John

John Arthur Sir Nathaniel/Antonio

William Belchambers Longaville/Conrade

Edward Bennett Berowne/Benedick

Paige Carter Maria/Ursula

Rebecca Collingwood Katharine/Hero

Lisa Dillon Rosaline/Beatrice

Nick Harris Butler/Francis Pickbone/Butler/Officer/Musician

Nick Haverson Costard/Dogberry

John Hodgkinson Don Armado/Don Pedro

Tunji Kasim Dumaine/Claudio

Emma Manton Jaquenetta/Margaret

Chris McCalphy Dull/Sexton

Peter McGovern Moth/George Seacole/Soldier

Chris Nayak Footman 1/Borachio

Jamie Newall Boyet/Friar Francis

Steven Pacey Holofernes/Leonato

RodeRick Smith Gatekeeper 1/Marcade/Verges

Jamie Tyler Footman/Hugh Oatcake

Harry Waller Gamekeeper 2/Marcade/Balthasar

Anna Wheatley Housemaid/Housemaid

Leah Whitaker Princess of France