Exclusive: Famous cast of Shakespeare Show revealed

Big names from the acting world are taking part in a live broadcast with the working title The Shakespeare Show as part of next year's birthday celebrations.

Gregory Doran, artistic director at the Royal Shakespeare Company, exclusively revealed the line-up of famous actors to Herald arts reporter Gill Sutherland.

During an interview about the newly announced spring/summer 2016 season, Gregory said: “The Shakespeare Show will bring together Shakespeare and his legacy — so that includes opera, ballet, jazz, musical theatre, rap... all aspects of the performance arts.

“It will be a variety bill with international stars broadcast worldwide that will put Stratford at the centre of the Shakespeare map —which is as it should be.”

The Shakespeare Show will be shown on BBC2 on 23 April, as part of the Shakespeare birthday celebrations.

Next year, 2016, is particularly significant as it marks 400 years since the playwright’s death.

Gregory also discussed the new productions, including Hamlet, with black actor Paapa Essiedu taking the main role; and Don Quixote, which will star David Threlfall (who found fame as Frank in Shameless) and comic/presenter Rufus Hound.

To find out the famous names line up for The Shakespeare Show, and for the full interview with Greg see this week’s Herald, out today.