About the Cast

Twenty-six of the UK's finest performers are accompanied by an original score performed live by five musicians.

Linda Bassett makes a welcome return to the RSC as Paulina in The Winter’s Tale and Bawd and Cerimon in Pericles. Linda was nominated by BAFTA as best actress for her role as Ella Khan in East is East. Her other films include Kinky Boots, Separate Lives, Calendar Girls, The Hours and The Martins. Her recent theatre work includes Oenon in Phaedra at The Donmar Warehouse, Moira in Love Me Tonight at the Hampstead Theatre and Out in the Open at Birmingham Rep (both directed by Kathy Burke) and Stephen Daldry’s Far Away (for which she won the Clarence Derwent Award). Her previous RSC productions include: Oedipus Tyrannos and Oedipus at Colonus and Mistress Quickly in Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 (1991/2)

Lucian Msamati makes his RSC debut playing the title role in Pericles. He recently played Timpo in The President of an Empty Room and Ira Mackel in Mourning Becomes Electra at the National Theatre (both directed by Howard Davies) and Max Stafford Cark’s production of The Overwhelming. His film roles include the tile role in Dr Juju and the captain in Lumumba. On TV he appeared in Ultimate Force III, The Knock and Spooks.

Anton Lesser returns to the company to play Leontes in The Winter’s Tale. Anton last performed with the RSC in Dominic Cooke’s production of Cymbeline as Iachimo. Other RSC roles include: Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew (1992) and the title role in Richard III (1988). He recently played Brutus in Deborah Warner’s acclaimed production of Julius Caesar at the Barbican.

Also returning to the RSC are: Nigel Cooke (Polixenes in The Winter’s Tale, Lysimachus in Pericles and Lenny in Days of Significance), Trystan Gravelle (Young Shepherd in The Winter’s Tale, 2nd Fisherman in Pericles and Dan in Days of Significance), Richard Moore (Old Shepherd in The Winter’s Tale and Simonides as Pericles), Joseph Mydell (Camillo in The Winter’s Tale and Gower in Pericles), Clarence Smith (Cleomenes in The Winter’s Tale and Antiochus in Pericles) and Michelle Terry (Perdita in The Winter’s Tale, Philemon in Pericles and Clare in Days of Significance)

Richard Moore, who first worked for the company in 1965 is probably best known to TV viewers for playing the popular pensioner Jarvis Skelton in Emmerdale for four years. Joseph Mydell last season played Robert Mugabe in Breakfast with Mugabe and Jacques in Dominic Cooke’s As You Like It, and Michelle Terry played Mary Warren in Cooke’s hugely successful production of The Crucible with Iain Glen.

Making their RSC debuts are: Jason Barnett (Gaoler in The Winter’s Tale, Antiochus’ follower in Pericles and Bouncer in Days of Significance), Daniel Dalton (various roles in The Winter’s Tale, Pericles and Days of Significance), Maynard Eziashi (Dion in The Winter’s Tale and Tyre Lord in Pericles), Simon Harrison (Florizel in The Winter’s Tale, a Knight in Pericles and Steve in Days of Significance), Nyasha Hatendi (Security Guard in The Winter’s Tale and Anthiochus’ follower in Pericles), Richard Katz (Autolycus in The Winter’s Tale, Boult in Pericles and Vince in Days of Significance), Robin Lawrence (Sicilian Lord in The Winter’s Tale, Master Fisherman in Pericles and Drunken Man in Days of Significance), Ben Onwukwe (Antigonus in The Winter’s Tale and Helicanus in Pericles), Ashley Rolfe (Lord in The Winter’s Tale, Spartan Lord in Pericles and Jamie in Days of Significance), Mark Theodore (Sicilian Lord in The Winter’s Tale, Antiochus’ follower in Pericles and Brookes /Bouncer in Days of Significance), Frances Ashman (Dorcas in The Winter’s Tale and Dionyza in Pericles), Amanda Daniels (Mopsa in The Winter’s Tale, Gail in Days of Significance and Lychorida in Pericles), Kate Fleetwood (Hermione in The Winter’s Tale and Thaisa in Pericles and Ony Uhiara (Lady in The Winter’s Tale, Marina in Pericles and Donna in Days of Significance).

Appearing in Days of Significance are: Jamie Davis (Ben), Claire-Louise Cordwell (Hannah) and Pippa Nixon (Trish).

Joining Dominic Cooke, former RSC Associate Director and newly appointed Artistic Director of London's Royal Court Theatre on the creative team of The Winter's Tale and Pericles are: Mike Britton (Designer), Chris Davey (Lighting Designer), Carolyn Downing (Sound), Gary Yershon (Composer), Liz Ranken (movement), Maria Aberg (Associate Director) and Terry King ( Fights, Pericles only).

Joining Maria Aberg on the creative team of Days of Significance are: Lizzie Clachan (Designer), David Holmes (Lighting Designer) and Carolyn Downing (Sound).

For More Information:
Please contact Bethany Prestigiacomo, Director of Artist Residency Programs, Davidson College via email (rscdavidson@davidson.edu) or phone at 704-894-2115.