Two Shakespeare-linked productions name casts for 2027

A new play inspired by Shakespeare's Pericles and a fresh Romeo and Juliet for the UK road have both named their casts for next year.

Sami Ibrahim has written Pericles, Prince of Lebanon, a new play based on Shakespeare's late romance. It opens at Bristol Old Vic from 25 February to 20 March 2027, and the press performance is on 3 March. Richard Twyman, artistic director of English Touring Theatre (ETT), is directing.

The production is co-produced by ETT, Bristol Old Vic and Theatres de la Ville de Luxembourg, a theatre in Luxembourg, in association with MMXX. After Bristol it transfers to Luxembourg for three performances, from 14 to 16 April 2027. A transfer means a show moves from its first venue to another house.

Amer Hlehel plays the title role. Sayyid Aki plays Cleon, Laura Hanna plays Thaisa, and Raad Rawi plays both Father and Lysimachus. Sarah Seggari plays Dionyza, and Miltos Yerolemou plays Antiochus, Simonides and Leonine. Osloob joins the cast as an on-stage musician and vocalist. He is a founding member of the Palestinian hip-hop group Katibeh 5.

The story is set in modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Greece and Libya.

Chelsea Walker directs a new production of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet on a UK tour. ETT, the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Leeds Playhouse and Nottingham Playhouse announced the casting together. The tour opens at the Lyceum from 30 January to 27 February 2027, with press night on 4 February.

Matthew Anthony Ralph plays Romeo, in his professional stage debut. Lauren Conroy plays Juliet opposite him. Okiki Oladapo plays Benvolio, also a stage debut. Lewis MacDougall is Mercutio, Ryan Hunter is Tybalt, and Adam McNamara is Capulet. Marlowe Chan-Reeves plays Paris, Catrin Aaron plays Sister, and Anna Russell-Martin plays Nurse.

The production is a contemporary adaptation. It follows two teenagers who fall in love while their families are in conflict. After Edinburgh, it plays Leeds Playhouse from 3 to 20 March, the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford from 23 to 27 March, and Northern Stage in Newcastle from 13 to 17 April. The final stop is Nottingham Playhouse, from 20 April to 8 May 2027.

For audiences, the two productions offer different ways into Shakespeare next spring. One is a new play drawing on Pericles. The other is a modern take on a story most people already know, playing in five towns and cities across Scotland and England.