RSC ANNOUNCES CASTING FOR THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA ALONGSIDE PROGRAMME OF FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Date released: 26th June 2025
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Directed by Joanna Bowman
The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon
Monday 4th – Sunday 31st August
Press Night: Tuesday 12 August, 5pm
Box Office: rsc.org.uk, 01789 331111
DOWNLOAD IMAGES HERE
The Royal Shakespeare Company today announce full casting for the family summer production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona opening in The Other Place from Monday 4th August with press night on Tuesday 12th August at 5pm.
This summer holidays, The Two Gentlemen of Verona comes to life in an accessible, 80-minute production at the intimate venue of The Other Place. Featuring a talented cast of actor-musicians and a charming furry companion, the show brings a fresh and heartwarming take on the ultimate love triangle.
Director Joanna Bowman said: “The Two Gentlemen of Verona is an exuberant celebration of the joys, discoveries and contradictions of youth. Two Gents has it all: a love triangle, gender disguise, a forest outside the city walls where love can be declared and wrongs settled, and a band of outlaws.
“I am thrilled by the cast we have discovered for this production. Perhaps Shakespeare’s first comedy, Two Gents fizzes with vitality and ambition, exploding off the page and onto the stage. Finding a company of actors to match the energy of the play has been a pleasure – a number of the company are making RSC and professional debuts, capturing a sense of the ecstasies and delights of youth that lies at the heart of the play. The four lovers are ridiculously talented young actors at the start of their professional lives, much like the characters in the play. Coupled with an ensemble cast of brilliantly talented actor-musos, featuring some fiercely funny servants and, of course, Crab the dog (the only dog in Shakespeare!), I cannot wait to get into the text.
“To make my RSC debut with this production, a little-known play that contains so many of the innovations that will go onto define his best-known works, is tremendously exciting. I am so looking forward to sharing it with audiences.”
The full cast comprises of Tom Babbage (Speed/Thurio/Outlaw), Darrell Brockis (The Duke/Outlaw), Fred Double (Outlaw), Aisha Goodman (Julia), Jonny Khan (Valentine), Stuart McLoughlin (Launce/Eglamour/Outlaw), Siân Stephens (Sylvia), Katherine Toy (Antonia/Lucetta/Host/Outlaw) and Lance West (Proteus).
The creative team includes Set and Co-Costume Designer, Francis O’Connor; Lighting Designer, Derek Anderson; Composer John Patrick Elliott; Sound Designer, Khalil Madovi; Movement Director, Jennifer Jackson, Casting Director, Matthew Dewsbury CDG; and Dramaturg, Zoe Cooper.
Valentine and Proteus are best friends. That is, until they meet Silvia, and their lifelong friendship is put in serious jeopardy. Can they all find their happily-ever-after?
A love triangle, a forest, disguises, and a dog – The Two Gentlemen of Verona has it all. Shakespeare’s gloriously silly story of love, friendship and growing up bursts on to the stage of The Other Place in a new 80-minute edit that’s the perfect introduction to Shakespeare for families.
This joyous new adaptation is directed by Joanna Bowman, Associate Director at Tron Theatre (Wolfie and Escaped Alone Tron Theatre, The Inquiry Chichester Festival Theatre).
Find out more about The Two Gentlemen of Verona here.
In addition, this summer the Next Generation Young Company presents a dynamic reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens, a powerful morality tale about loyalty, friendship, and the corrosive allure of wealth. This innovative production, supported by members of the Next Generation Backstage and Direct Programmes, is part of the RSC’s talent development initiative, engaging young theatre-makers from across England through the Associate Schools Programme. The show runs in The Other Place on 20th and 21st of August.
Find out more about Next Generation here.
If you prefer participating over spectating, we offer numerous engaging opportunities, including our diverse summer schools designed for ages 8 to 88. Additionally, join us on 6th August to celebrate National Playday with a variety of free family activities inspired by the enchanting world of Shakespeare's Imagined Italy.
- Outdoor Storytelling: (10.30am – 11.30am, 12pm – 1pm, 2.30 – 3.30pm)
- Sensory Stay and Play: (11am – 3pm in the Welcome Space)
- Hidden Stories of The Play's the Thing : (12.15 – 1.15pm, 2.30 – 3.30pm, 4 - 5pm)
Find out more about the RSC Playday here.
Complementing Timon of Athens, and sponsored by the Swan's Nest Hotel, the RSC is offering a series of interactive exhibits and trails over the coming months.
- Colonnade Installation: From May to September, Lisa Curtis transforms the space between the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) and the Swan Theatre into a vibrant celebration of Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona’s forest.
- Sculptural Garden Trail: Beginning mid-July, this outdoor trail invites families to discover the themes of love, friendship, and risk-taking inspired by The Two Gentlemen of Verona through 7 interactive stations.
- The Play’s The Thing Exhibition: Reopened in April, this award-winning exhibition provides a fascinating glimpse into the RSC’s rich history, now featuring a new film documenting the creation of King Lear in collaboration with Internationally Displaced People (IDP) Uzhik.
Find out more about our summer activities here.
ENDS
For more information please contact: Olivia Scull, Press Officer, olivia.scull@rsc.org.uk 074433 84242
NOTES TO EDITORS
The RSC is supported using public funding by Arts Council England
The work of the RSC is supported by the Culture Recovery Fund
The RSC is generously supported by RSC America
Darwin Escapes – Summer Theatre Sponsor
The Swan’s Nest Hotel – Summer Activities Sponsor
With thanks to Season Supporter Charles Holloway OBE
RSC £10 Tickets for 14-25s supported by TikTok
The RSC Acting Companies are generously supported by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation
RSC Next Generation is generously supported by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Halabi Thomaz Foundation, John S Cohen Foundation and Noël Coward Foundation
Next Generation Act Company bursary places are generously supported by The Leverhulme Trust Arts Scholarship
Assisted Performances at the RSC are kindly supported by The Sainsbury Trust
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s mission is to bring people together to experience stories that deepen our understanding of ourselves, each other and the world around us, and that bring joy. Shakespeare’s restless exploration of all of human nature is our inspiration and touchstone.
The Company’s roots lie in the bold vision of a local brewer, Edward Fordham Flower, who in 1879 established a theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon with his son Charles. The RSC as we know it today was formed by Sir Peter Hall, whose ambition was to produce new plays alongside those of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. We continue this today across our three permanent theatres in Stratford – the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Swan Theatre and The Other Place – and indeed online and around the globe. We believe everybody’s life can be enriched by culture and creativity. Our transformative Creative Learning and Engagement programmes reach over half a million young people and adults each year. We have collaborated with generations of the very best theatre makers and we continue to nurture the talent of the future.
Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to visual art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2018 and 2022, we will invest £1.45 billion of public money from government and an estimated £860 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country.www.artscouncil.org.uk
Darwin Escapes offers an award-winning collection of 26 unique resorts across the UK, each providing luxurious accommodation and unforgettable experiences. Designed to cater to all ages, many sites feature exceptional on-site facilities, including spas, restaurants, swimming pools, gyms, and a variety of activities.
Whether you’re seeking beachside spa breaks, golfing adventures, tranquil countryside retreats, or family-friendly activities, Darwin Escapes has something for everyone. Among these is the conveniently located Stratford-Upon-Avon Lodge Retreat, just two miles from the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Here, guests can enjoy a peaceful countryside setting with premium self-catering accommodation, while remaining close to the rich culture and attractions of the city.
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and its offices include New York, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Swan's Nest Hotel combines historic charm with modern comfort in a space dedicated to delighting its guests. Located on the banks of the River Avon, only a five-minute walk from the Royal Shakespeare Company, this Georgian townhouse hotel is perfectly placed for exploring the scenic beauty and cultural heritage of Stratford-upon-Avon, promising a welcoming retreat in a location steeped in history and character.
