Charlotte Cornwell and More Set to Star in RSC's HAMLET

Charlotte Cornwell is set to return to the RSC after an absence of 32 years as Gertrude in the world premiere of David Farr's Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The production, which will run from 14 March until 28 September 2013, will also see RSC Associate Director, David Farr, reunited with RSC Associate Artists, Jonathan Slinger as Hamlet alongside Greg Hicks as Claudius. Pippa Nixon also returns as Ophelia in Shakespeare's tragic tale of betrayal and revenge.

Part of the final season programmed by Michael Boyd as outgoing Artistic Director of the RSC, the cast is part of an ensemble cross-cast in three Shakespeare plays for the Summer 2013 season - Hamlet, As You Like It and All's Well That Ends Well.

Charlotte Cornwell last appeared in the RSC's London run at The Warehouse in 1980 in Much Ado About Nothing, The Caucasian Chalk Circle and Bastard Angel. Her more recent theatre credits include Carlotta in The Cherry Orchard and Mrs Lintott in The History Boys at Centre Theatre Group in Los Angeles 2008. Her numerous TV and film credits include the 1970s classic Rock Follies and more recently Family Affair and The West Wing.

David Farr and Jonathan Slinger last worked together on the RSC's critically acclaimed What Country Friends Is This? trilogy, with Slinger taking on the roles of Prospero in The Tempest and Malvolio in Twelfth Night as part of the World Shakespeare Festival in 2012. Jonathan Slinger's other RSC credits include the title role in Michael Boyd's Macbeth and Lenny in David Farr's The Homecoming in 2011. He was also part of Michael Boyd's award-winning Histories ensemble playing both title roles in Richard II and Richard III. His television credits include: The Adventures of Daniel (BBC), Vexed, Paradox, Krod Mondoon and Hustle and his film work includes The Veil of Maya (2010) and The Knight's Tale (2000).

RSC Associate Director David Farr has previously directed Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, Night of the Soul, King Lear, The Winter's Tale and Silence for the RSC. His play The Heart of Robin Hood was the RSC Christmas Show in 2011.

Associate Artist Greg Hicks was last at the RSC in 2010 where he played Leontes in The Winter's Tale and the title roles in Julius Caesar and King Lear. His other RSC credits include Macbeth, Hamlet, Poor Beck, Coriolanus (Olivier Nomination for Best Actor and Critics Circle Award, Best Actor), The Merry Wives of Windsor, Julius Caesar and Tantalus.

Pippa Nixon appeared at the RSC as The Bastard in King John and Lady Anne in Richard III in 2012. Other RSC credits include: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Cardenio, The City Madam, Much Ado about Nothing, Henry V (Shakespeare in a Suitcase, RSC New York), Cardenio and Days of Significance (RSC and tour). Other theatre credits include; Bea, Joe Guy (Soho Theatre), Mad Forest (JMK Award/BAC), and her television work includes: Law and Order UK, Wannabes, Dream Team, Holby City, The Bill and 24 Seven.

The cast also includes: Karen Archer (Player Queen), Cliff Burnett (Player King), Kiza Deen (Courtier), Daniel Easton (Reynaldo), David Fielder (First Gravedigger/Voltemand), Dave Fishley (Barnardo), Michael Grady-Hall (Osric), Rosie Hilal (Second Gravedigger), Chris Jared (Fortinbras), Mark Holgate (Francisco), Natalie Klamar (Courtier/Student/Player), Luke Norris (Laertes), Oliver Ryan (Rosencrantz), Robin Soans (Polonius), John Stahl (Priest/Player), Samuel Taylor (Marcellus), Nicolas Tennant (Guildenstern) and Alex Waldmann (Horatio).

Commenting on the production, David Farr said:

"I am thrilled to be directing Hamlet in Michael Boyd's final season. He has been a remarkable person to work with for the four years I have been Associate under him. Jon Slinger is one of the great classical actors of his generation and I love working with him. He has an emotional access that is truly rare. This will be the fifth time Greg Hicks and I have worked together. He is a fabulously powerful Shakespearean actor, and to see him and Jon Slinger face off against each other should be something special. I am also thrilled to be working with Charlotte Cornwell, Robin Soans and Pippa Nixon for the first time. It's a great company."

The play is designed by Jon Bausor with lighting by Jon Clarke and music composed by David Sawer. The sound design is by Gareth Fry and Movement by Joseph Alford and Carolina Valdés.