Local boys join cast of Hecuba at RSC

SEVEN local boys from have been cast in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s forthcoming production of Hecuba.

The role of Polydorous, Hecuba’s youngest son, will be shared by three 12-year-olds — Marcus Acquari and Nilay Sah, from Warwick, and Luca Saraceni, from Stratford. The non-speaking roles of Polymestor’s sons are shared by Sebastian Dibb, 11, from Leamington Spa, Christopher Kingdom, 14, from near Stratford, Daniel Vicente Thomas, 11, from Wellesbourne, and Yiannis Vogiardis, 12, from Warwick.

Despite the ancient Greek play’s gory themes, the boys are relishing their time at the theatre. Luca told Herald arts: “We’re not showing any blood, but the way it’s all described, it’s really enjoyable to watch. “I told my friends that it’s quite a gory play, now they really want to go and see it.”

Several of the boys have performed in RSC productions before. This is Luca’s third RSC play and Chris auditioned for Hecuba after performing in Oppenheimer.

Asked about a possible career on the stage, Chris said: “I really enjoy acting, it’s a really great way to express yourself if you’re not good at sport. “I’d quite like to be an actor, but at the moment I really like history at school, so I’m thinking about being an archaeologist or a historian.”

The boys play the sons of two enemies: the ones in grey play Hecuba’s sons and the ones in orange are Polymestor’s boys. Is there any rivalry offstage? Daniel, who is making his RSC debut, told us: “It’s kind of like sports day, a healthy competition. There’s no brutality, just joking around!”

Hecuba is on at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from today (Thursday), until 17th October. Tickets available from the RSC box office.