Ferdinand Kingsley News

Princess Beatrice, whose father the Duke of York is one of the Patrons of The York Mystery Plays, visited the plays costume workshop to see some of the 3,000 individual items being made and talk to some of the 60 volunteers who are helping to create the costumes, all inspired by the fashions of the 1940s and 1950s.

Ferdinand Kingsley will play both God and Jesus opposite Coronation Street villain Graeme Hawley, who takes on the role of the Devil, in the York Mystery Plays to be staged throughout August against the backdrop of the St Mary's Abbey, York. Kingsley and Hawley will be joined by over 2,500 people in the staging of what is believed to be the UK's biggest outdoor theatrical event of 2012. With over 1,700 local volunteers comprising the two casts of community ensemble, musicians, choir and crew, the York Mystery Plays run from 2 to 27 August.

Hamlet, recently opened at the National Theatre's Olivier Theatre, featuring Rory Kinnear, Clare Higgins. The production is currently selling tickets through January 9.

The National Theatre has announced casting for its upcoming productions, starting with Moira Buffini's WELCOME TO THEBES which will run starting June 15. Nikki Amuka-Bird and David Harewood will star in the World Premiere of the play, which tells the Greek myth of the first democratically elected president of Thebes in a modernized way. The show will be directed by Richard Eyre and the cast will also feature Madeline Appiah, Rakie Ayola, Omar Brown, Jessie Burton, Jacqueline Defferary, Daniel Fine, Karlina Grace, Rene Gray, Tracy Ifeachor, Irma Inniss, Chuk Iwuji, Alexia Khadime, Ferdinand Kingsley, Aicha Kossoko, Simon Manyonda, Bruce Myers, Pamela Nomvete, Calre Perkins, Victor Power, Daniel Poyser, Joy Richardson, Vinette Robinson, Zara Tempest-Walters, and Michael Wildman.