Tony Winner Mark Rylance Set for the West End's Richard III and Twelfth Night

Two-time Tony winner Mark Rylance will play the title role in Richard III and Olivia in Twelfth Night in London’s West End. Both productions, which originally opened at Shakespeare’s Globe, will transfer to the Apollo Theatre on November 2. Helmed by Tim Carroll, Richard III and Twelfth Night will both open November 17, and play a limited engagement through February 3, 2013.

Shakespeare’s Richard III is the story of Richard Duke of Gloucester (Rylance), who will stop at nothing to become the King of England. In addition to Rylance, the production stars Samuel Barnett as Elizabeth, Liam Brennan as Clarence, Johnny Flynn as Lady Anne, Colin Hurley as King Edward and Peter Hamilton Dyer.

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night centers on Viola, who passes herself off as a page to get work after being shipwrecked in the kingdom of Illyria. Lady Olivia (Rylance) falls in love with Viola, not knowing that she is a woman in disguise. In addition to Rylance, Twelfth Night stars Samuel Barnett as Sebastian, Liam Brennan as Orisino, Johnny Flynn as Viola, Tony nominee Stephen Fry as Malvolio, Peter Hamilton Dyer as Feste and Colin Hurley as Sir Toby Belch.

Rylance won Tony Awards for Jerusalem and Boeing-Boeing, and has also appeared on Broadway in La Bête. He served as the artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe from 1996 to 2006. His film and TV roles include The Other Boleyn Girl, Prospero’s Books, Angels and Insects and Leonardo.

Both Richard III and Twelfth Night will be performed in an all-male Original Practices production, with all design elements using original Shakespearian practices. Both productions will be designed by Jenny Tiramani with music by Claire van Kampen.