Full casting is announced for the RSC’s forthcoming production of Shakespeare’s suburban comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor.

Directed by Blanche McIntyre, the show runs in repertoire in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon between 5 June – 7 September. 

Making their RSC debuts as the eponymous ‘Merry Wives’ are the previously announced double Olivier Award-winner Samantha Spiro (Sex Education/ Ridley Road) as Mistress Meg Page, who is joined by Siubhan Harrison (The Ocean at the End of the Lane) as Mistress Alice Ford. John Hodgkinson (Dear England, RSC’s A Christmas Carol) plays Sir John Falstaff, and Richard Goulding (Scoop, The Windsors, King Charles III) plays Frank Ford.

Samantha Spiro’s TV and film credits include One Life, Hoard, Still Up, Sex Education, Ridley Road, Ragdoll, Semi-Detached, Babs, Tracey Ullman’s Show, Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Plebs, London Spy, Grandpa’s House, Psychobitches and Me Before You.

The full cast comprises Jessica Alade (Simple), Omar Bynon (Pistol), John Dougall (Shallow), Riess Fennell (Robert/Student), Richard Goulding (Frank Ford), Siubhan Harrison (Alice Ford), John Hodgkinson (Sir John Falstaff), Emily Houghton (Host of the Garter), Ian Hughes (Sir Hugh Evans), Wil Johnson (George Page), Yasemin Junqueira (Student), John Leader (Fenton), David Mara (Rugby), Tadeo Martinez (Robin), Shazia Nicholls (Mistress Quickly) Yasemin Özdemir (Nym), David Partridge (Bardolph/John), Samantha Spiro (Meg Page), Jason Thorpe (Dr Caius), Tara Tijani (Anne Page) and Patrick Walshe McBride (Slender).

Curtains are twitching and tongues are wagging in this fresh new production of Shakespeare’s suburban comedy. 

Lies! Jealousy! Dirty laundry! The Merry Wives of Windsor is an uproarious tale of mischief and double dealing where the women get the last laugh. What goes on at Number 22 is absolutely everybody’s business.

The Merry Wives of Windsor (5 June - 7 September) plays in repertoire with The School for Scandal (2 July – 6 September), with some of the cast appearing in both shows. Casting for The School for Scandal will be announced shortly.

For more information, and to buy tickets, visit: rsc.org uk