Sheffield Theatres have announced the full company of actors who play across a double-bill of two major new Shakespearean prodiuctions at the Crucible this autumn. In a rare event in contemporary theatre, the company will play two or more roles across the season in both productions.
As previously announced, Olivier and Tony Award winner Ian McDiarmid will star in the titular role in King Lear, directed by Donwar Warehouse Associate Artistic Director Titas Halder. Matthew Horne, best known for Gavin & Stacey, will play Malvolio in Twelfth Night which will be directed by Jamie Glover.
Completing the cast are: David Birrell as Gloucester/Feste, James Chetwood as Oswald/Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Mark Holgate as Kent/Antonio, Christopher Jordan as Curan/Priest/Valentine and Second Officer, Justina Kehinde as Regan/Olivia, Hazel Monaghan as Swing/Actor-Musician, Harry Redding as Edgar/Sebastian, Max Revell as Fool/Curio, Jay Saighal as Cornwall/Fabian, Bebe Sanders as Cordelia/Viola, Sachin K Sharma as France/Captain and Sea Captain/First Officer, Fode Simbo as Edmund/Orsino, Milo Twomey as Albany/Sir Toby Belch and Katie Wimpenny as Gonreil/Maria.
Whilst the two productions share the same cast (besides McDiarmid and Horne), they have different creative teams.
Joining Director Titas Halder in the creative team for King Lear are: Set and Costume Designer Richard Kent, Lighting Designer Ryan Day, Composer Sarah Angliss, Sound Designer Emma Laxton, Fight, Movement and Intimacy Director Yarit Dor, Associate Fight Director Enric Ortuño and Dramaturg Sophie Duncan. King Lear is presented in assocation with MCG, which marks a reunion for Sheffield Theatres and former Artistic Director Michael Grandage.
Alongside Director Jamie Glover, the creative team for Twelfth Night will include: Set and Costume Designer Amanda Stoodley, Lighting Designer Richard Howell, Composer and Musica Director Genevieve Dawson, Sound Designer Raffaela Pancucci and Movement Director Charlotte Broom.
Matilda James serves as casting director for both productions. Barbara Houseman will also work across both productions as Voice and Text Coach. Marc Small is the Assistant Director and Vicky Moran is the Associate Director for both shows.
King Lear opens at the Crucible Theatre on 29th August 2026 and runs until 19th September 2026. Twelfth Night opens on 10th October 2026 and runs until 31st October 2026. Tickets for both productions are on sale now.
