Orlando James & Eve Ponsonby Will Lead Shakespeare in Love in London's West End

Orlando James is set to write Eve Ponsonby well in London’s Shakespeare in Love. The pair will take over from Tom Bateman and Lucy Briggs-Owen as Will Shakespeare and Viola De Lesseps from January 12, 2015. Adapted from the hit 1998 film by Tony winner Lee Hall and helmed by Olivier winner Declan Donnellan, the play officially opened on July 23 and will now run through April 2015.

Donnellan recently directed James and Ponsonby in ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore. James’ additional theater credits include Another Country, The Madness of George III, Macbeth and Country Feedback. Ponsonby has also been seen on stage in The Fall, If Only, Hamlet and The Children’s Hour. Her television credits include Lady Chatterley’s Lover, The White Queen and Misfits.

Joining James and Ponsonby in the cast will be Nicholas Asbury as Wessex, Neal Barry as Henslowe, Richard Bremmer as Tilney and Sir Robert De Lesseps, Paul Brennen as Fennyman, Suzanne Burden as Queen Elizabeth, Ryan Donaldson as Ned Alleyn, Edward Franklin as Marlowe, Ncuti Gatwa as Wabash, Gregg Lowe as Sam, Andy McKeane as Ralph, Peter Moreton as Burbage, Joy Richardson as Nurse, Charlie Tighe as Nol and Stuart Wilde as Webster. Rounding out the company will be Aaron Anthony, Jonno Davies, Peter Hannah, Nick Hart, Joshua Higgott, Sioned Jones, Sandy Murray, Ellie Nunn, Thomas Padden, Stevie Raine, Elliot Rennie and Florence Roberts. Barney will continue in his much-loved role as Spot the Dog.

Set in London during the late 16th century, Shakespeare in Love centers on young playwright William Shakespeare, who is struggling with his latest work Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daughter. A great fan of Shakespeare's plays is young, wealthy Viola who is about to be married to the cold-hearted Lord Wessex, but constantly dreams of becoming an actress. Women were not allowed to act on stage at that time, but, dressed up as a boy, Viola successfully auditions for the part of Romeo. Soon she and William are caught in a forbidden romance that provides rich inspiration for his play.

The movie, penned by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard and directed by John Madden, won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Original Score, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress for Gwyneth Paltrow and Best Supporting Actress for Judi Dench. Shakespeare in Love also starred Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush and Tom Wilkinson.