(1) Casting for the roles of star-crossed lovers Will Shakespeare and Viola De Lesseps in the forthcoming stage production of Shakespeare in Love has been announced. Tom Bateman will play Will Shakespeare and Lucy Briggs-Owen will play Viola De Lesseps. Shakespeare in Love has its world premiere at the Noël Coward Theatre on Wednesday, July 23, 2014, with previews from July 2. Further casting will be announced soon.

Based on the Academy Award-winning screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, Shakespeare in Love has been adapted for the stage by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot). Featuring a company of over 30 actors and musicians, the new play will be Directed by Declan Donnellan and designed by Nick Ormerod, the driving force behind theatre company Cheek by Jowl. Shakespeare in Love will be produced by Disney and Sonia Friedman Productions.

(2) Playful Productions and the Royal Shakespeare Company have announced that the sell-out productions of Wolf Hall, and Bring Up the Bodies will transfer to the Aldwych Theatre from May 1 for a strictly limited season until September 6. RSC Members Priority Booking opens at 1000hrs on Thursday, March 6. Public Booking opens at 1000hrs on Monday, March 10. Hilary Mantel’s popular books have been adapted for the first time for the stage in two parts by Mike Poulton. The adaptations were commissioned by Playful Productions who worked in collaboration with the RSC to bring them to the stage.