The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has today announced casting for its forthcoming production of Charlie Josephine's new play Cowbois. 

The production, which shows at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon between 14 October and 18 November 2023, will be co-directed by Charlie Josephine (they/him) and Sean Holmes (he/him).

Charlie (pictured) describes the show as 'a big queer cowboy show', adding: "It’s full of everything you’d expect from a western, but our lone ranger - Jack Cannon - is a gender outlaw who fights patriarchy and inspires a revolution in a town full of women. It’s an exploration of honest desire in bodies assigned female at birth, when they’re free from the male gaze and given the chance to be their authentic selves.

“I love cowboys, and wanted to be one growing up. There’s something about the iconic gesture and pose of a cowboy, the sexiness, the swagger that I used as the inspiration for the character of Jack.  I also wanted to disrupt the Hollywood version of cowboys: the white cis straight men who are often misogynistic and racist. Instead I wanted to write about sexy trans masculine cowboys and queer working class women.

“There’s not enough theatre by, for and about working-class women and queer people. I hope people coming to watch this show feel empowered seeing these characters on this stage. I hope people have some interesting chats about patriarchy, gender and freedom after seeing it. And of course I hope that everyone will have a great night out!

“Cowbois is an exploration of masculinity, power and freedom. But moreover, it’s a love letter to the trans masculine people in history whose stories have been ignored or erased.”

Making their RSC debuts in Cowbois will be Vinnie Heaven (A Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare's Globe and The Misfortune of the English at the Orange Tree Theatre) as Jack. Sophie Melville (Sorter - Swansea Grand and Mum - Soho Theatre) plays Miss Lillian, whilst actor and performance maker Lucy McCormick assumes the role of Jayne. Actor, performer and Drag King LJ Parkinson plays Charley Parkhurst. 

Co-founder and Artist Director of the Told by an Idiot Theatre Company Paul Hunter will play Sheriff Roger Jones. Paul is familiar with the RSC having directed the Company's production of The Mouse and his Child in 2011. In 2010, in association with Told by an Idiot, he directed the RSC production of The Comedy of Errors - a 90 minute version of the play aimed at younger audiences which toured schools and theatres in England. The production was also part of the RSC’s 2011 residency at the Lincoln Center in New York in 2011.

Other casting includes Bridgette Amofah as Mary; Lee Braithwaite as Lucy/Lou; Shaun Dingwall as Frank/Tommy; Michael Elcock as George; Colm Gormley as John; Julian Moore-Cook as James and Emma Pallant as Sally-Ann. The role of Kid will be shared by Robert Addi, Aiden Cole and Alastair Ngwenya.

Charlie Josephine's Cowbois shows at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from Saturday 14 October until Saturday 18 November. For further information, and to book tickets, visit: rsc.org.uk