Full Casting Announced for RSC’s The Cherry Orchard in Stratford-upon-Avon The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has unveiled the full cast for its upcoming production of The Cherry Orchard, set to open at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon on 10 July. The play, a cornerstone of Anton Chekhov’s oeuvre, will feature a star-studded lineup including Hollywood actor Bill Pullman, Oscar-winning actress Helen Hunt, and acclaimed director and actor Kenneth Branagh. The production marks a significant collaboration between the RSC and renowned playwright Laura Wade, who has previously worked with the company on critically acclaimed projects. Bill Pullman, best known for his roles in Spaceballs and Independence Day, will portray Gaev, Madame Ranyevskaya’s eccentric and talkative brother. Helen Hunt, an Oscar winner for her role in The Aviator, will take on the role of Madame Ranyevskaya, a woman of the old aristocracy grappling with the decline of her family’s estate. Kenneth Branagh, a long-time collaborator with the RSC, will play Lopakhin, a wealthy merchant from humble origins. Branagh’s involvement continues his storied relationship with the company, which began in 1984 with his debut in Henry V. The cast also includes Alfred Enoch, who returns to the RSC after starring in Henry V and Pericles, as Trofimov, a student and friend of Anya. Chumisa Dornford-May, known for her performances in Into the Woods and Here We Are, will play Anya, Madame Ranyevskaya’s teenage daughter. Esther Smith, who has appeared in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Marys Seacole, will portray Varya, the adopted daughter who helps manage the estate.#royal_shakespeare_company #the_cherry_orchard #stratford_upon_avon #bill_pullman #helen_hunt
