Jasper Britton, Catrin Stewart & More Join RSC's Summer Swan Theatre Productions Lineup

Full casting is announced for the Royal Shakespeare Company's summer productions of The Jew of Malta and Love's Sacrifice, continuing a commitment to celebrate the work of Shakespeare's contemporaries in the RSC's intimate Swan Theatre.

Making his RSC debut Justin Audibert directs Christopher Marlowe's play of religious conflict and revenge, The Jew of Malta. Justin is the Artistic Associate for HighTide Festival Theatre and Red Ladder; his recent credits include Beached (Marlowe Theatre/Soho Theatre) and Hamlet (Watermill Theatre). Returning to the RSC, having played the title role in Gregory Doran's productions of Henry IV Parts I and II, Jasper Britton plays the complex Machiavellian protagonist, Barabas. The Jew of Malta plays in the Swan Theatre from March 2015 with a press night on Thursday 26 March.

Love's Sacrifice is directed by Matthew Dunster who also makes his RSC debut with this rarely performed thrilling revenge tragedy powered by the destructive force of unrequited love. Matthew is an Associate Artist at the Young Vic and his forthcoming production Liberian Girl opens at the Royal Court in January 2015. Staged for the first time in 400 years, Love's Sacrifice was the winning play of the Scholar's Pitch, a challenge set by RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran for academics to suggest a forgotten 17th century play that would appeal to a modern audience.

At the centre of this tale of jealousy is the beautiful Bianca who will be played by Catrin Stewart, most well-known for her recent roles as Jenny Flint in Doctor Who and Emma in Ruth Jones' Sky 1 comedy drama series, Stella. Playing her devoted and jealous husband the Duke of Pavy, a character with echoes of Shakespeare's Othello, is Matthew Needham. Matthew returns to the RSC following the 2013 productions of Candide and Titus Andronicus and is currently appearing in The Knight of the Burning Pestle at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Love's Sacrifice plays in the Swan Theatre from April 2015 with a press night on Monday 20 April.

The productions are cross-cast. The cast for The Jew of Malta includes: Andy Apollo (Don Lodowick); Sheila Atim (Attendant); Jasper Britton (Barabas); Guy Burgess (First Knight); Beth Cordingly (Bellamira); Geoffrey Freshwater (Friar Barnadine); Marcus Griffiths (Calymath); Rhiannon Handy (Attendant); Simon Hedger (Merchant); Julian Hoult (Merchant); Matthew Kelly (Friar Jacomo); Annette McLaughlin (Katherine); Lanre Malaolu (Ithamore); Matthew Needham (Pilia-Borza); Steven Pacey (Ferneze); Richard Rees (Martin del Bosco); Colin Ryan (Don Mathias); Nav Sidhu (Callapine); Catrin Stewart (Abigail) and Gabby Wong (Abbess).

The cast for Love's Sacrifice includes: Andy Apollo (Ferentes); Sheila Atim (Julia); Guy Burgess (Nibrassa); Beth Cordingly (Fiormonda); Geoffrey Freshwater (Abbot); Marcus Griffiths (Roseilli); Rhiannon Handy (Colona); Simon Hedger (Guard); Julian Hoult (Attendant); Matthew Kelly (Mauruccio); Jamie Thomas King (Fernando); Jonathan McGuinness (D'Avalos); Annette McLaughlin (Morona); Matthew Needham (Duke of Pavy); Richard Rees (Petruchio); Colin Ryan (Giacapo); Nav Sidhu (Attendant); Catrin Stewart (Bianca) and Gabby Wong (Attendant).

The Jew of Malta is designed by Lily Arnold with lighting by Oliver Fenwick. The music is composed by Jonathan Girling with sound by Claire Windsor. Movement is by Lucy Cullingford and the Fight Director is Kev McCurdy.

Love's Sacrifice is designed by Anna Fleischle with lighting by Lee Curran. The music is composed by Alexander Balanescu with sound by Ian Dickinson. Movement is by Charlotte Broom and video design by Dick Straker.

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