Royal Shakespeare Company Announces Full Cast for Laura Wade's Adaptation of The Cherry Orchard The Royal Shakespeare Company has officially unveiled the full cast for Laura Wade’s new adaptation of The Cherry Orchard, the final play by Russian dramatist Anton Chekhov. The production, set to debut at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, marks a significant expansion of the previously announced cast, with additional actors joining established performers in the lead roles. The adaptation, which reimagines Chekhov’s classic work, is directed by RSC co-Artistic Director Tamara Harvey and will run from July 10 to August 29, with its official opening scheduled for July 21. Joining the previously announced Kenneth Branagh as Lopakhin, Helen Hunt as Madame Ranyevskaya, and Bill Pullman as Gaev are Chumisa Dornford-May as Anya, Alfred Enoch as Trofimov, Esther Smith as Varya, and Sophie Stone as Sharlotta. The casting brings together a mix of seasoned actors and emerging talent, reflecting the RSC’s commitment to both artistic innovation and theatrical tradition. Branagh, known for his work with the RSC, will reprise his role as the ambitious Lopakhin, a character central to the play’s exploration of change and societal upheaval. Hunt, a veteran stage and screen actress, will portray Madame Ranyevskaya, the matriarch whose emotional journey anchors the narrative. Pullman, a frequent collaborator with the RSC, will play Gaev, the family patriarch grappling with the encroaching modernity of the 20th century. The production is the latest in a series of adaptations by Wade, who has previously worked on plays such as The Constant Wife and Home, I’m Darling.#royal_shakespeare_company #laura_wade #anton_chekhov #swan_theatre #tamara_harvey
