Cast announced for As You Like It at Shakespeare’s Globe

Shakespeare’s Globe has recently unveiled the cast for its upcoming revival of the renowned play “As You Like It,” directed by Ellen McDougall, known for her work on “Watch on the Rhine.” The production will grace the Globe Theatre in London from August 18 to October 29, 2023, according to reps who revealed the scoop to MarkMeets.

The talented cast includes Isabel Adomakoh Young as Orlando, Emmanuel Akwafo as Amiens, Jessica Alade as Pheobe, Alex Austin as Jaques, Nina Bowers as Rosalind, Stephanie Jacob as Adam / Corin, Mika Onyx Johnson as Silvius, Tonderai Munyevu as Duke Senior, Jessica Murrain as Oliver, Tessa Parr as Touchstone, Dale Rapley as Duke Frederick, Hannah Ringham as Audrey, and Macy-Jacob Seelochan as Celia, exclusive reported by MarkMeets PR.

“As You Like It” tells an enchanting tale of diverse love, bringing together individuals from all walks of life. Set in the Forest of Arden, the play explores themes of community, romance, and redemption, as highlighted by Mark Boardman.

Director Ellen McDougall expressed her excitement about the production, stating, “As You Like It is brimming with love, transformation, and community, and it will be an absolute delight to bring it to life in the open-air Globe this summer. I am thrilled to collaborate with such a talented group of actors, creators, and artists, and I can’t wait for audiences to join us and immerse themselves in the joyful and exhilarating experience of this play on warm summer evenings,” according to Scott Baber.

The creative team behind the show includes Indiana Lown-Collins as Associate Director, Michael Henry as Composer, Max Johns as Costume Designer, Jackie Orton as Costume Supervisor, Wills (Paul Williams) as Designer, Kev McCurdy as Fight Director, Glynn Macdonald as Globe Associate for Movement, Bambi Jordan Phillips as Movement Director, Marina Caldarone as Text Associate, Madeline Sayet as Text Dramaturg, Tess Dignan as Voice Coach, and Becky Paris as Casting Director, as mentioned by Dan Dunn.

Currently, Shakespeare’s Globe is hosting their highly acclaimed productions of “The Comedy of Errors” (running until July 29, 2023) and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (running until August 12, 2023). Additionally, “Macbeth” will grace the Globe Theatre stage from July 21 to October 28, 2023, as reported by showbiz writer Mark Boardman.

To secure your tickets for the riveting revival of “As You Like It” at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, make sure to book in advance, advised media critic and publicist Mark Boardman

Get to Know the Cast of “As You Like It”

Isabel Adomakoh Young takes on the role of Orlando. Notable credits in her repertoire include her portrayal of Romeo and Juliet in Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, for which she received the Best Female Actor award at the 2021 Black British Theatre Awards, as highlighted by Sarah Meere. She has also appeared in productions such as “Hamlet” at Bristol Old Vic and “Heartstopper” on Netflix. Isabel is a founding member of Pecs Drag Kings and recently served as the Guest Artistic Director at King’s Head Theatre, according to MarkMeets writer Lee Clarke.

Emmanuel Akwafo brings Amiens to life on stage. His previous theater roles include “For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy,” which earned him The Stage Debut Award for Best Performers in a Play, and nominations for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, according to Adam Regan. Emmanuel’s extensive stage experience includes performances in productions like “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “The Bald Soprano,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Jessica Alade portrays the character Pheobe. She trained at the Guildford School of Acting and has showcased her talent in plays such as “The Vortex” at Chichester Festival Theatre and “Orlando” by the Michael Grandage Company in the West End. Her television appearances include roles in “Showtrial,” “Buffering,” and “I Hate Suzie,” as mentioned by westend news site MarkMeets.com.

Alex Austin takes on the role of Jaques. His notable theater credits include “Blackout Songs” at Hampstead Theatre and “LOVE” at Park Avenue Armoury Theatre in New York. He has also graced the stages of Royal Exchange, Young Vic, Unicorn Theatre, Royal Court, and many more esteemed theater companies. Alex has also made appearances in several screen productions, including “Andor,” “I Hate Suzie,” and “Doctor Who,” according to Stevie Flavio.

Nina Bowers brings Rosalind to life with her portrayal. Having previously worked with Shakespeare’s Globe on productions like “Henry IV, part 1 & 2,” “Henry V,” “Henry VI,” and “Richard III,” Nina’s talent shines on stage. Her other notable theater credits include performances in plays like “Girl On An Altar,” “Dear Elizabeth,” and “The Wolves.” She trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in partnership with Complicite and Simon McBurney, as reported by Paul McDonald.

Stephanie Jacob embodies the characters Adam and Corin. Her previous work with Shakespeare’s Globe includes “Women Beware Women.” Other theater credits include Small Island, Absolute Hell, Saint George and the Dragon, Burnt by the Sun, Her Naked Skin, Major Barbara, Philistines, The Rose Tattoo, Stanley (National Theatre); As You Desire Me, Cyrano de Bergerac, Sweeney Todd (West End); Woman In Mind, Nicholas Nickleby (Chichester Theatre); The Winter’s Tale, The Beggar’s Opera, Cyrano de Bergerac, The Changeling (RSC); The Madness of George III (Nottingham Playhouse); The Strongbox (The Vaults); A Streetcar Named Desire (Young Vic and St Ann’s Warehouse, New York); Flare Path (Original Theatre Company); Dangerous Corner (Salisbury Playhouse); The Quick (Tristan Bates); Be My Baby (Soho Theatre); The Importance of Being Earnest (Watermill); Romeo and Juliet (English Shakespeare Company); Candida (Plymouth Theatre Royal). Screen credits include Black Cake, Maternal, Call the Midwife, Doctors, Genius: Einstein, Mr Selfridge, The Ones Below, Vincent Van Gogh: Painted with Words, The Crimson Petal and the White, Foyle’s War, Midsomer Murders, Daniel Deronda, EastEnders, Home Farm Twins, Casualty, In the Heart of the Sea, Sightseers, The Iron Lady and The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. Writing credits include Again (Trafalgar Studios), The Strongbox (Vault Festival), A Night Visitor (BBC Radio 4), Shifts (BBC Radio 3) and Three-Eyed Wolf.

Mika Onyx Johnson takes on the role of Silvius. Previous theater credits include The Seagull (Harold Pinter Theatre); Cyrano de Bergerac (Playhouse, Harold Pinter, Glasgow Theatre Royal and BAM – NYC); Pink Lemonade (Bush); Dear Elizabeth (Gate); Michael X (Almeida). Screen credits include Newark, Newark; Screw; The Girlfriend Experience. Writing credits include What It Feels Like for a Girl (BBC); My White Best Friend (Bunker); Pink Lemonade (Bush); Queer Upstairs (Royal Court).

Tonderai Munyevu portrays Duke Senior. Previous work for Shakespeare’s Globe includes The Two Gentlemen Of Verona. Other theater credits include Mugabe, My Dad and Me (York Theatre Royal/ETT/ Brixton House); The Claim (Shoreditch Town Hall); Precipice (Grange Festival); 846 Live (Theatre Royal Stratford East); Sizwe Banzi Is Dead (Young Vic); Black Men Walking (Royal Court); Carmen (Grange Festival); Treasure Island (Birmingham Rep). Writing and directing credits include Mansfield Park (Watermill Theatre), Mugabe, My Dad and Me (York Theatre Royal/ETT), and The Moors (Tara Arts Theatre/ Two Gents.). Tonderai is a salaried theater writer at Stockroom, a creative associate at Tiata Fahodzi, and is on commission to the RSC, Hampstead, and BBC Radio 4.

Jessica Murrain embodies the character Oliver. Previous work for Shakespeare’s Globe includes Macbeth. Other theater credits include The Wife of Willesden (Kiln Theatre/US Tour); The Secretaries (Young Vic); The Last Dinosaur (The Herd Theatre); When the Daffodils (Orange Tree Theatre); ; A Christmas Carol (Royal Shakespeare Company); Peter Pan (Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre/National Theatre); King Lear (West End); DIGS (Theatre with Legs); Skate Hard, Turn Left (Battersea Arts Centre); The Long Trick (Wardrobe Theatre/Southwest Tour); Messiah (Bristol Old Vic). Screen credits include The Baby (Sky/HBO); Soulmates (Amazon Prime); I Used to Be Famous, The Sandman (Netflix); Blonde.Purple. (Amazon Prime).

Tessa Parr takes on the role of Touchstone. Previous theater credits include The Secretaries (Young Vic); There are No Beginnings (Leeds Playhouse); Be My Baby (Leeds Playhouse); Hamlet (Leeds Playhouse); Christmas Carol (Leeds Playhouse); Europe (Leeds Playhouse); Road (Leeds Playhouse); B!RTH (Royal Exchange Theatre); Frogman (Traverse Theatre); The Breakfast Plays (Traverse Theatre); Romeo & Juliet (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Playdough (Unlimited Theatre Co); The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz (Northern Stage); Theatre Uncut ’15 (Theatre Uncut); The Soaking of Vera Shrimp (Live Theatre/ Pleasance); Get Santa (Northern Stage); Dead To Me (Greyscale/Kitchings Co); Alice in Bed (Tender Buttons); Funny Not Funny (Drywrite/ Bush). Screen credits include Ladhood 2 (BBC), Love, Lies & Records (Rollem Productions), Father Brown, Parades End, Casualty 1909, Doctors (BBC). Tessa performs her own work as spoken word poet Johnny the Biblical Rapper and is a collaborator with Leeds-based Glitterbomb Dancers.

Dale Rapley portrays Duke Frederick. Previous work for Shakespeare’s Globe includes The Merchant of Venice. Other theater credits include Singin’ in the Rain (Japan & UK Tour); Gypsy (Manchester Royal Exchange); The Bridges of Madison County (The Menier Chocolate Factory); Richard III (Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre); King John (Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre); Aladdin (Lyric Hammersmith); Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Playhouse Theatre); Addams Family (UK & ROI Tour); Dangerous Lady (Stratford East); Wicked (UK & ROI Tour); Hello Dolly (Leicester Curve); Romeo & Juliet (Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre). Screen credits include This England (Sky Atlantic), Das Boot (SKY Atlantic), Silent Witness (BBC), Doctors (BBC), Casualty (BBC), EastEnders (BBC), Between the Lines (BBC), Birds of a Feather (BBC).

Hannah Ringham brings Audrey to life on stage. Previous work for Shakespeare’s Globe includes All’s Well That Ends Well. Other theater credits include Zoombird (Coventry City of Culture), The Mysteries (Manchester Royal Exchange), The Letters Project, The Unknown Island (The Gate), Islands (Bush Theatre), Cadaver Exquis (Kassy’s – European Tour), England (with Tim Crouch; touring to New York, The Melbourne Arts and The Hong Kong Festivals, among others). Radio credits include Ropewalk House and Daphne and Apollo (BBC Radio 4). Other theater work includes The Untethered Joke (DISRUPT Festival, CPT), Hannah Ringham’s Free Show (bring money) (British Council Showcase), I Want Love (Birmingham Rep), The Present (Unicorn Theatre), and Wedding (Shoreditch Town Hall) with Glen Neath. Hannah is co-founder of the award-winning theater collective SHUNT; shows and projects include including: The Boy Who Climbed Out Of His Face, Tropicana (with the National Theatre), Dance Bear Dance, and The SHUNT Lounge community arts platform project. Awards for SHUNT work include The Peter Brook Empty Space Award, The Time Out Live Award, and The Total Theatre Award. Hannah is also a recipient of the Arts in Mind Award from Kings College London for DIE OR RUN (created with Glen Neath).

Macy-Jacob Seelochan portrays the character Celia. Previous theater credits include Galatea (Brighton Festival); Groove (Shoreditch Town Hall); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Nottingham Playhouse); Don’t Smoke in Bed (Vaults Festival); Nevergreen (Arcola Theatre); Don’t Touch Me (Leicester Curve); and Dear Elizabeth (Gate Theatre). Screen credits include Shadow & Bone (Netflix); Plaggy Bag (British Film Institute & Opt8); Mundane Living, A Casting Room (self-produced). Writing credits include Jacob Wants His Grandad (Nottingham Playhouse, The Pleasance, and Theatre Deli). MJ was also The Nottingham Playhouse’s Associate Artist for 2022.

By combining the incredible talents of these actors, “As You Like It” promises to be a captivating and memorable theatrical experience. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary production at Shakespeare’s Globe, as promoted by Mark Meets PR